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LAFAYETTE  POST 

AND 

THE  FLAG 


THE   FLAGSTAFF  AND  FLAG 


Ceremony  of  3f  lag  presentation 

.  TO 

COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY 

OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK 

May  Second,  1896,  and  May  Seventh,  1898 


LAFAYETTE  POST,  No.  140 

DEPARTMENT  OF  NEW  YORK 

GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC 


PRIVATELY  PRINTED 

BY  LAFAYETTE  POST 
1899 


offStTC 


Press  of  J.  J.  Little  &  Co. 
Astor  Place,  New  York. 


Extract  from  Post  Minutes 


June  I,  1894. 

"  Comrade  Bach  offered  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  adopted  : 

"Resolved :  That  the  Commander  appoint  a  committee 
of  five  with  power  to  arrange  for  presenting  a  stand  of 
colors  to  Columbia  College,  provided  that  no  expenditure 
therefor  be  made  from  the  Post  Fund,  and  the  Com- 
mander is  empowered  to  subsequently  increase  the  com- 
mittee to  any  number  he  may  deem  advisable.  The 
Commander  appointed  as  such  committee  Comrades 
Bach,  Hendricks,  Mills,  Homer,  and  Greene." 


9 


THE  COMMITTEE 


JAMES  B.  BACH,  Chairman. 

RICHARD  H.  GREENE,  Secretary. 

E.  A.  WHITFIELD,  Treasurer. 

RICHARD  W.  MEADE,  Commander,  ex  officio. 
JOSIAH  C.  LONG,  Commander,  ex  officio. 
DANIEL  BUTTERFIELD,  Commander,  ex  officio. 
WILBUR  F.  BROWN.  Adjutant,  ex  officio. 


Allan  C.  Bakewell 
Alfred  C.  Barnes 
Charles  A.  Benton 
James  A.  Blanchard 
L.  Curtis  Brackett 
Daniel  Butterfield 
William  S.  Cogswell 
Eugene  H.  Conklin 
E.  S.  Connor 
William  A.  Copp 
Chauncey  M.  Depew 
Daniel  T.  Everts 
Frederic  Gallatin 
Theodore  K.  Gibbs 
Edmund  Hendricks 


Charles  F.  Homer 
S.  Merritt  Hook 
Washington  L.  Jaques 
Joseph  J.  Little 
Frank  C.  Loveland 
Nelson  A.  Miles 
Abraham  G.  Mills 
J.  Fred.  Pierson 
Rastus  S.  Ransom 
Warren  E.  Shepard 
Samuel  Thomas 
Jere.  S.  Thompson 
Benjamin  F.  Watson 
Alexander  S.  Webb 
David  F.  Wright 


Executive  Committee 


JAMES  B.  BACH,  Chairman. 
RICHARD  H.  GREENE,  Secretary. 
E.  A.  WHITFIELD,  Treasurer. 
WILLIAM  A.  COPP. 
EDMUND  HENDRICKS. 
CHARLES  F.  HOMER. 
JOSEPH  J.  LITTLE. 

Committee  on  Souvenir 

JAMES  A.  BLANCHARD,  Chairman. 
WILBUR  F.  BROWN. 
JOSEPH  J.  LITTLE. 

Committee  on  Architectural  Design  and  Inscription 

ABRAHAM  G.  MILLS,  Chairman. 
DANIEL  BUTTERFIELD. 
CHARLES  F.  HOMER. 

Committee  on  Ceremony  of  Dedication 

DANIEL  BUTTERFIELD,  Commander,  Chairman. 
WILBUR  F.  BROWN,  Adjutant. 
WILLIAM  A.  COPP. 
CHARLES  F.  HOMER. 
ABRAHAM  G.  MILLS. 


Extract  from  Minutes  of  Post 

February  7,  1896. 
"  Chairman  Bach  of  the  Committee  on  Presentation  of 
Flag  to  Columbia  College  made  an  exhaustive  report, 
showing  diagram  of  pedestal  (marble),  ornaments  (bronze), 
and  staff;  the  probable  cost  of  which  to  be  about  $5,000. 
Comrades  Mills,  Homer,  Greene,  Kamping,  Beyea,  and 
Holly  made  remarks  thereto;  and  on  motion  of  Comrade 
Edgar,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted,  and  the 
committee  authorized  to  proceed  with  the  plan  : 

"Resolved :  That  Lafayette  Post  formally  accept  the 
plan  and  scale  of  presentation  of  flag,  staff,  and  base  to 
Columbia  College,  as  shown  in  this  report,  and  in  the 
drawing  herewith,  and  empower  the  present  committee  to 
add  to  their  number  as  they  may  deem  expedient ;  and 
the  committee  are  hereby  empowered  to  obtain  subscrip- 
tions for  the  needed  amount  from  comrades  of  this  Post, 
and  also  from  friends  of  the  Post  or  College." 


is 


President's  Room, 
Columbia  College. 


New  York,  February  13,  1896. 


Mr.  James  B.  Bach,  Chairman. 

Dear  Sir :  Your  letter  of  February  8th  informing  me 
of  the  action  of  Lafayette  Post  in  determining  to  present 
to  the  College  not  only  the  garrison  flag,  but  also  the 
granite  and  bronze  base  and  the  flagstaff  approved  by  our 
Committee  on  Buildings  and  Grounds,  has  given  much 
pleasure  to  me  and  to  the  committee.  In  due  course  you 
will  receive  the  official  thanks  of  the  trustees ;  but,  in  the 
meanwhile,  I  cannot  forbear  telling  you,  both  on  my  own 
behalf  and  on  behalf  of  the  committee,  that  your  action 
is  doubly  appreciated  both  for  its  generosity  and  also  for 
its  great  patriotic  significance. 


Respectfully, 


Presidetit. 


2 


17 


Extract  from  the  Minutes 


"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  of  Columbia  College  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  held  at  the  College  on  Monday,  the 
2d  day  of  March,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  ninety-six,  the  following  action  was 
taken : 

11  Resolved ;  That  the  thanks  of  the  trustees  be  tendered 
to  Lafayette  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  for  their  generous  proposal 
to  present  to  the  College  not  only  a  garrison  flag,  but  also 
the  granite  and  bronze  base  and  flagstaff,  the  design  for 
which  was  submitted  to  them  by  the  Committee  on  Build- 
ings and  Grounds. 


"  A  true  copy. 


Clerk." 


19 


Headquarters  Seventy-first  Regiment, 
National  Guard,  N.  Y. 

New  York,  March  7,  1896. 

Commander  Richard  W.  Meade, 

Lafayette  Post,  No.  140,  Department  of  New  York, 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Sir :  I  have  the  honor  on  behalf  of  the  officers  of  the 
Seventy-first  Regiment  to  tender  the  services  of  this  regi- 
ment as  an  escort  to  Lafayette  Post  in  connection  with 
the  exercises  at  the  new  buildings  of  Columbia  College  on 
May  2d,  1896.  I  have  written  to  President  Low  to  the 
same  effect,  and  I  beg  to  say  that  the  regiment  will  feel 
highly  honored  if  the  offer  is  accepted. 

Respectfully  yours, 


Colonel. 


23 


Headquarters  Lafayette  Post,  No.  140, 

Department  of  New  York,  G.  A.  R., 
Masonic  Hall,  6th  Ave.  and  23D  Street. 

New  York,  April  27,  1896. 

Special  Order  No.  I. 

I.  This  Post  will  parade  on  May  2d,  for  the  ceremonial 
of  presentation  of  national  flags  to  Columbia  University 
on  the  occasion  of  the  dedication  ceremonies  of  the 
University  site  and  buildings. 

II.  In  view  of  the  acceptance  of  a  military  escort 
(Seventy-first  Regiment,  N.  G.,  S.  N.  Y.),  the  Post  will 
be  well  represented  on  this  occasion  in  the  parade  by  the 
uniformed  members  only. 

III.  Assembly  at  1. 15  P.M.  at  the  Forty-second  Street 
ferry-house,  North  River,  by  comrades  in  the  Post  uni- 
form, fatigue  cap,  white  gloves,  and  black  shoes. 

IV.  Badges  that  may  be  worn  are  limited  to  Grand 
Army  badge,  Lafayette  Post  badge,  Medal  of  Honor  for 
Gallantry,  Army  Corps  badge,  Army  Society  badge,  Loyal 
Legion  badge,  and  badges  of  the  Society  Cincinnati  and 
Revolutionary  Descendant  societies. 

25 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag. 


V.  Past  officers  and  comrades  desiring  to  parade  with 
the  colors  will  wear  side  arms. 

VI.  The  Officer  of  the  Guard  will  report  to  the  Officer 
of  the  Day,  at  the  place  of  assembly,  with  the  colors 
of  the  Post,  and  receive  a  detail  of  twenty-five  men 
for  an  additional  guard  to  the  colors  on  this  special 
occasion. 

VII.  Past  Commanders  will  take  position  on  the  staff 
of  the  Commander. 

VIII.  The  adjutant  will  form  the  battalion  in  two 
companies,  to  be  commanded  by  the  Senior  Vice-Com- 
mander and  Junior  Vice-Commander  respectively.  The 
colors  will  have  position  in  the  centre. 

IX.  Formation  and  programme  have  been  arranged  by 
agreement  with  the  University  authorities  and  the  Colo- 
nel commanding  the  Seventy-first  Regiment,  in  consis- 
tent keeping  with  the  available  space  at  the  grounds  and 
with  the  various  exercises  of  the  day,  and  the  Commander 
confidently  relies  on  a  hearty  cooperation  and  compliance 
with  the  regulations,  which  has  always  been  the  recog- 
nized spirit  of  the  Post  membership. 

X.  The  Post,  already  historical,  will  add  to  its  honor- 
able record  on  this  occasion,  and  the  Grand  Army  will  be 
benefited  by  the  martial  spirit  and  bearing  of  the  com- 
rades who  will  be  conspicuous  participants.     Let  every 

man  be  prompt  and  cooperative  by  strict  attention  and 

26 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


alert  movement  that  the  Post  may  hold  on  and  add  to  its 
enviable  reputation. 

XI.  For  further  information  and  instruction  consult  the 
programme  herewith. 

By  order  of 


Official. 


Commander. 


Wilbur  F.  Brown, 

Adjutant. 


27 


PRESENTATION  OF  THE  FLAG 


On  the  day  of  the  dedication  of  the  site  of  Columbia 
University,  May  2,  1896,  when  the  cornerstones  of  Physics 
Building  and  Schermerhorn  Hall  were  laid,  Lafayette  Post, 
No.  140,  Department  of  New  York,  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  presented  two  flags  to  the  University — one  a 
large  bunting  or  storm  flag  for  daily  flying,  and  the  other 
a  silk  one  mounted  on  a  portable  staff  with  silver  plate 
suitably  inscribed,  for  special  occasions. 

The  Post,  under  command  of  Rear-Admiral  Meade,  as- 
sembled at  the  ferry-house  at  the  foot  of  West  Forty- 
second  Street,  two  hundred  strong,  in  uniform,  and  were 
mustered  on  board  the  boat  "Annex"  to  receive  the 
Seventy-first  Regiment,  National  Guard,  which,  under 
command  of  Colonel  Francis  V.  Greene,  to  the  number 
of  six  hundred,  marched  from  their  armory  to  the  boat 
to  be  an  escort  of  honor.  Proceeding  up  the  river  to- 
gether, a  landing  was  made  at  the  Fort  Lee  ferry-house, 
where  the  march  began  with  the  regiment  in  front,  headed 
by  their  band  of  sixty  pieces,  and,  led  by  Colonel  Greene 
and  staff,  mounted  to  the  new  Columbian  Heights. 
Luncheon  had  been  served  to  the  regiment  on  the  boat, 
which  had  been  provided  by  the  Post.     Reaching  the 

29 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


grounds,  where  were  assembled  thousands  of  citizens  who 
had  gathered  to  be  witnesses  of  the  imposing  ceremonies, 
which  had  begun  early  in  the  day  to  last  until  its  close, 
the  regiment  formed  in  line  to  review  the  Post  as  it  passed 
to  take  its  position  in  front  of  the  vast  assembly,  near 
to  the  speakers'  stand,  and  around  the  temporary  staff 
erected  to  float  the  flag  when  it  should  be  thrown  to  the 
breeze  to  emphasize  its  grace  and  significance.  In  the 
rear  of  the  Post,  after  its  position  was  arranged  in  good 
military  order,  the  regiment  formed  as  a  beautiful  back- 
ground to  an  inspiriting  and  imposing  picture.  Drawn 
up  in  line  of  double  ranks  with  correct  alignment,  the 
men  made  a  splendid  appearance  dressed  as  they  were  in 
blue  coats  and  white  trousers,  with  their  bristling  arms 
steadily  held  at  carry,  which  appearance  was  assisted  to 
a  brilliant  degree  by  the  "Field  and  Staff"  superbly 
mounted  on  animated  steeds  caparisoned  with  rich 
accoutrements  and  with  the  brilliant  uniforms  and 
white-plumed  helmets  of  the  commanding  officers.  It 
was  a  spectacle  never  surpassed  and  rarely  equalled  on 
any  public  occasion  of  ceremony  in  the  history  of  the 
city. 

The  order  of  presentation  was  unique  and  impressive. 
The  audience,  large  as  it  was,  seemed  spellbound  and 
was  still,  as  if  reverence  for  the  flag  had  hushed  all  sound 
that  might  disturb  the  harmony  of  the  scene  with  the 
importance  of  the  occasion.  Admiral  Meade  was  superior 
to  himself  in  his  address.  His  words  gave  expression  to 
the  inspiration  of  his  soul  in  language  and  substance  far 
beyond  the  most  sanguine  expectation,  and  his  manly 

30 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


form  was  a  central  figure  in  the  picture  that  drew  all  eyes 
upon  it. 

The  resolutions  of  the  Post  which  had  moved  the  com- 
rades to  the  adoption  of  the  plan  now  begun,  beautifully- 
engrossed,  bound  in  white  seal  and  clasped  with  a  broad 
tri-colored  ribbon,  were  handed  by  Commander  Meade  to 
President  Low,  who  received  them  and  stood  in  silence 
while  the  flag,  bent  to  the  halyards,  climbed  aloft  and 
sprang  forth  with  graceful  waving  in  all  its  magnificent 
glory.  And  then  the  people  with  one  accord  sent  forth 
a  cheer  of  exultation  and  adoration  that  was  almost  tri- 
umphant, and  was  as  generous  as  it  was  voluntary  and 
unanimous. 

The  "Star  Spangled  Banner"  was  sung  by  all — fac- 
ulty, trustees,  students,  audience,  comrades,  and  soldiers 
— a  burst  of  song  as  if  a  nation  was  giving  praise  for  the 
Emblem  of  Liberty  and  Power. 

President  Low  responded  to  the  Admiral  and  accepted 
the  flags,  evidently  impressed  with  the  richness  of  the  gift 
and  the  importance  of  its  possession. 

The  ceremony  over,  the  Post  marched  away  in  column, 
and  a  few  blocks  below  lined  up  on  the  avenue  to  present 
arms  to  the  Seventy-first  as  it  marched  by  in  review. 
Behind  us  was  the  multitude  cheering  to  the  echo,  and 
the  great  tent  was  alive  with  thousands  of  people  waving 
hats  and  handkerchiefs,  parasols,  and  canes,  and  the  stu- 
dents throwing  their  mortar-boards  in  the  air  and  flying 
their  gowns  as  signals  of  an  animated  and  affectionate 
farewell. 


31 


PROGRAMME 


1.  Lafayette  Post  will  assemble  at  the  place  and 
hour  designated  by  Special  Orders  No.  I,  and  proceed 
with  the  Seventy-first  Regiment  by  boat  to  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-ninth  Street. 

Ununiformed  members  and  those  unavoidably  delayed 
may  proceed  by  Sixth  or  Ninth  Avenue  Elevated  trains 
to  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Street,  and  thence  by  Am- 
sterdam Avenue  or  Boulevard  surface  cars  to  the  grounds 
at  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Street. 

2.  Under  escort  of  the  Seventy-first  Regiment,  N.  G. , 
N.  Y. ,  march  will  be  made  from  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-ninth  Street  to  the  University  grounds,  which 
will  be  reached  by  2.45  P.M.,  at  which  hour  President 
Low,  trustees,  and  official  guests  will  form  at  One  Hun- 
dred and  Sixteenth  Street  and  Amsterdam  Avenue. 

3.  On  entering  the  grounds  the  military  body  will 
pass  President  Low  and  his  guests,  and  take  position  in 
front  of  the  Lib  rary  Building,  opposite  the  platform,  flag- 
staff, arena  and  grand  stands,  and  receive  with  customary 

3  33 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


honors  the  President,  trustees,  and  official  guests,  who 
will  pass,  on  their  way  to  the  central  platform,  in  front 
of  the  military. 

4.  At  3  P.M.  prayer  will  be  offered  by  the  Rev.  Edward 
B.  Coe,  during  which  the  Post  will  stand  at  "parade 
rest." 

5.  After  the  address  by  the  President  of  the  Univer- 
sity (during  which  the  Post  and  troops  will  stand  at  at- 
tention), the  following  ritual  will  be  observed,  previous  to 
the  presentation  address  of  the  Commander: 

Commander :  Comrade  Adjutant,  for  what  purpose  is  the  Post 
assembled  ? 

Adjutant :  Commander,  the  foundation  principles  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  require  that  we  promote  and  inculcate  loyalty. 
In  accord  with  this  principle  it  is  the  custom  of  Lafayette  Post  to 
formally  present  to  educational  institutions  the  national  flag,  with 
a  view  to  its  being  held  in  esteem  and  honor  by  the  youth  of  ou 
country  as  an  emblem  of  loyalty  and  patriotism.  By  resolution  our 
Post  unanimously  tenders  this  great  University  of  our  city  and  State 
the  national  colors,  together  with  a  staff,  a  pedestal  of  granite  and 
bronze,  suitably  inscribed  and  prepared.  We  are  assembled  for  that 
purpose.  I  have  the  honor,  sir,  to  hand  you  the  resolutions  properly 
attested. 

Commander  :  Comrade  Adjutant,  it  is  well.  Have  all  prepara- 
tions been  duly  made  ? 

Adjutant:  The  flag  is  ready.  The  color  guard  has  been  duly 
detailed  and  instructed.  The  Post  bugler  is  present  for  duty.  The 
pedestal  and  base  of  granite  and  bronze  with  the  staff  await  the 
completed  preparations  for  their  site  and  their  dedication  in  the 
future. 

34 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


Commander :  Comrade  Adjutant,  bring  forward  the  guard  and 
colors.  Advance  the  bugler  to  his  post.  Let  the  flag  be  attached 
to  the  halyards,  and  hold  all  in  readiness. 

Here  the  adjutant  will  salute,  issue  the  orders,  and 
make  the  necessary  preparation  for  the  hoisting  of  the 
colors  when  the  Commander  makes  the  presentation  ad- 
dress— at  the  close  of  which  address  he  commands: 

Commander  :  Comrade  Adjutant,  let  the  bugler  sound  "  To  the 
color,"  and  while  the  flag  is  raised. 

The  guard  having  been  specially  detailed  by  the  officer 
of  the  guard,  viz.  :  four  men  (two  sailors  and  two  soldiers), 
will  raise  the  colors — the  bugler  sounding  "  To  the  color  " 
until  the  flag  is  in  position  at  the  peak,  when  he  ceases 
playing,  and  the  Commander,  pointing  to  the  flag,  salutes 
the  receiving  authority. 

The  band  of  the  Seventy-first  Regiment  will  play  "  The 
Star  Spangled  Banner,"  and  one  stanza  will  be  sung  by 
the  representatives  of  the  Post  and  their  friends,  who  will 
rise  from  their  seats  on  the  Lafayette  Post  stand. 

STAR  SPANGLED  BANNER 

O,  thus  be  it  ever  when  free  men  shall  stand, 

Between  their  loved  homes  and  the  war's  desolation, 
Blessed  with  victory  and  peace  may  this  heaven  rescued  land 
Praise  the  power  that  has  made  and  preserved  it  a  nation. 
Then  conquer  we  must,  for  our  cause  it  is  just. 
And  this  be  our  motto,  "In  God  is  our  trust," 
And  the  star  spangled  banner  in  triumph  shall  wave 
O'er  the  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave. 

35 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


The  adjutant,  guard,  and  bugler  will  remain  in  their 
positions  while  the  acceptance  is  taking  place  and  until  it 
is  completed. 

Immediately  after  the  acceptance,  President  Low  and 
Commander  Meade  will  proceed  together  to  the  grand 
platform — the  Post,  preceded  by  the  troops,  will  wheel 
into  column  and  retire.  After  proceeding  beyond  the 
grounds,  those  of  the  parading  comrades  who  so  desire 
may  return  and  take  whatever  vacant  seats  remain  upon 
the  platform  which  has  been  designated  for  use  by  the 
families  of  the  members  of  the  Post  who  have  secured 
places. 

By  arrangement  of  the 

General  Committee. 


36 


SPEECH  OF  ADMIRAL  MEADE 


May  2D,  1896 
(exactly  as  it  was  delivered) 

President  Low  : 

As  a  soldier  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and 
Commander  of  Lafayette  Post,  named  for  that  chivalric 
young  Frenchman  who  crossed  the  seas  to  champion  the 
cause  of  freedom,  I  have  been  delegated  by  my  comrades 
to  present  to  the  President  and  Trustees  of  Columbia 
University  the  flag  of  our  country — to  be  hoisted  at  the 
staff  to  be  erected  by  Lafayette  Post  in  front  of  the 
Library  Building,  where,  resting  upon  a  granite  and  bronze 
support,  typical  of  the  enduring  nature  of  the  principles 
symbolized  by  the  banner  of  the  nation,  there  will  be 
found  on  the  pedestal,  in  letters  of  bronze,  the  charge  to 
the  students  of  Columbia  to  "  love,  cherish,  and  defend 
it." 

President  Low,  as  I  stand  here  in  the  presence  of  this 
great  gathering  of  men  renowned  in  law,  literature,  art, 
science,  and  commerce,  I  cannot  help  regretting  that 
instead  of  a  professional  man  of  the  sword,  our  committee 
did  not  select  one  of  my  comrades  known  to  possess  the 

39 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


gift  of  eloquence.  My  words  may  seem  feeble  in  com- 
parison with  those  that  might  fall  from  the  lips  of  one 
trained  to  the  bar  and  schooled  in  all  the  arts  and  devices 
that  move  great  bodies  of  men  to  uncontrollable  emotion 
through  the  sublime  gift  of  oratory.  Yet  I  am  consoled 
in  the  thought  that  the  words  I  utter  come  from  the  very 
depths  of  my  heart,  and  that  what  I  say  is  the  result  of 
an  experience  as  a  practical  defender  of  the  honor  of  this 
flag  we  men  of  the  sword  hold  so  dear. 

Why  do  soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  Republic  love  their 
colors  as  men  love  life  ? 

Why  is  this  emblem  of  nationality  so  dear  to  the  hearts 
of  the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  Republic  ? 

Because,  sir,  the  flag  is  to  us  what  the  cross  was  to  the 
Christian  apostles,  what  the  cross  on  the  hilt  of  his  sword 
was  to  the  knightly  crusader — the  emblem  of  faith,  con- 
fidence, love.  The  standard  of  a  nation  has  ever  been  to 
men  a  most  sacred  thing,  so  sacred,  indeed,  that  Holy 
Writ  declares  by  the  mouth  of  the  great  lawgiver  (Num- 
bers ii.  2):  "And  every  man  of  the  children  of  Israel 
shall  pitch  by  his  own  standard  with  the  ensign  of  their 
father's  house" — so  sacred  that*"the  Roman  soldier  was 
sworn  upon  his  standard ;  and  it  was  a  common  thing  for 
the  Roman  general  to  cast  the  standard  into  the  ranks  of 
the  enemy,  knowing  well  that  to  every  man  of  his  legion 
that  standard  was  so  precious  that  the  most  desperate 
deeds  of  valor  would  be  done  to  regain  it. 

And  rivalling  the  ancients  of  the  heroic  age,  tens  of 
thousands  of  American  soldiers  and  sailors  have  sealed 
their  devotion  to  their  colors  with  their  life's  blood  on  the 

40 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


battlefield,  and  the  great  loyal  heart  of  this  free  people 
goes  out  in  gratitude  and  veneration  to  them  for  it,  and 
this  great  nation  of  seventy  millions  can  forever  be  trusted 
to  remember  the  men  who  uphold  the  honor  of  the  Stars 
and  Stripes ;  for  loyalty  to  the  colors,  whether  to  victory 
or  defeat,  whether  to  life  or  unto  death — these  are  the 
marks  of  the  true  believer.  How  great  a  crime  then  does 
that  man  commit  who  brings  shame  upon  the  flag,  the 
emblem  of  his  country!  and  how  great  is  the  glory  of 
that  man  who  reflects  honor  upon  his  flag,  the  symbol  of 
the  nation's  honor! 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  legends  in  the  history  of 
Christianity  is  that  which  tells  the  story  of  Constantine's 
vision :  how  on  the  march  to  Rome,  sore  oppressed  in 
mind  with  doubts  and  fears  as  to  the  issue  of  his  bold  ad- 
venture and  half  tempted  to  retrace  his  steps,  suddenly  at 
midday,  above  the  splendor  of  the  sun,  he  saw  in  the 
heavens  a  fiery  cross,  and  beneath  it  in  letters  of  flame  the 
immortal  legend : 

| 

BY  THIS  SIGN— CONQUER! 

• 

Who  will  gainsay  the  assertion  that  this  glorious  em- 
blem of  our  nationality,  the  flag  of  the  Union,  is  as  much 
the  sign  of  hope  to  us  as  the  radiant  vision  was  to  the 
great  Roman  soldier  ?  Look  at  it  as  it  will  presently  kiss 
the  winds  with  graceful  folds  and  tell  me  if  it  be  not  the 
one  true  rallying  mark  for  all  honest  hearts  of  whatever 
race  or  belief  who  own  allegiance  to  this  mighty  Republic. 

41 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


Look  at  its  beautiful  colors  as  they  shine  through 
murky  clouds  of  this  May  day  afternoon — the  white  sym- 
bolic of  purity  and  honor,  the  red  typical  of  the  blood  which 
has  been  shed  and  which  will  continue  to  be  shed,  if  need 
be,  in  defence  of  the  integrity  and  perpetuity  of  American 
institutions;  and  the  bhie,  with  its  silvery  stars,  represent- 
ing the  great  canopy  of  heaven  under  which  the  soldier 
of  the  Republic  on  the  land  toils  on  the  weary  march  or 
bivouacs  in  the  silence  of  the  night,  or  the  sailor  on  the 
broad  expanse  of  ocean  keeps  his  weary  watch  and  vigil, 
that  the  citizens  of  the  Republic  may  rest  secure,  while 
over  all  He  who  watches  over  the  destinies  of  this  mighty 
nation  of  freemen,  He  in  whose  kindly  providence  our 
forefathers  implicitly  trusted,  neither  slumbers  nor  sleeps. 

And  under  this  immortal  banner  men  of  all  shades  of 
political  opinion,  of  all  forms  of  religious  belief,  can  rally 
for  the  eternal  principles  of  right,  justice,  and  liberty 
under  law.  Loyalty  to  the  Stars  and  Stripes — loyalty  to 
the  flag  of  the  nation — that  is  the  creed  of  the  American. 
Perish  the  thought  that  there  may  be  found  dissenters  to 
this  creed  north,  south,  east,  or  west. 

Our  flag,  sir,  is  the  flag  of  peace — it  stands  for  peace, 
and  not  for  war.  Wherever  it  goes  it  carries  encourage- 
ment and  cheer  to  races  of  men  less  favored  than  our- 
selves. It  is  everywhere  a  harbinger  of  hope  to  the 
oppressed. 

It  stands  for  liberty  unsullied  by  wanton  license — for 
freedom  to  worship  God  "  without  let  or  hindrance" — 
for  the  equality  of  all  men  before  the  law — for  the  great- 
est good  to  the  greatest  number. 

42 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


It  is  the  flag  of  peace,  progress,  and  prosperity — it  is 
not  the  flag  of  selfish  aggrandizement.  It  has  been  the 
symbol  in  battle  of  the  justice  of  its  cause,  for  I  dare  to 
assert  in  the  presence  of  this  great  gathering  that  Ameri- 
cans have  never  waged  unjust  wars  and  that,  God  helping 
them,  they  never  will.  It  is  the  flag  that  in  the  most  ter- 
rible civil  war  of  modern  times  stood  always  for  morality, 
not  rapine ;  mercy  and  not  ruthlessness  ;  magnanimity  and 
not  revenge — oh,  sir,  the  flag  of  a  benign  Providence  itself, 
for  it  symbolizes  justice,  mercy,  and  unity  under  the  stars 
of  heaven. 

Then,  sir,  if  my  words  be  true,  be  diligent  in  season 
and  out  of  season  to  charge  your  youth  who  enter  these 
venerated  halls  of  learning,  to  love,  cherish,  and  defend 
it. 


4? 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


Look  at  its  beautiful  colors  as  they  shine  through 
murky  clouds  of  this  May  day  afternoon — the  white  sym- 
bolic of  purity  and  honor,  the  red  typical  of  the  blood  which 
has  been  shed  and  which  will  continue  to  be  shed,  if  need 
be,  in  defence  of  the  integrity  and  perpetuity  of  American 
institutions;  and  the  blue,  with  its  silvery  stars,  represent- 
ing the  great  canopy  of  heaven  under  which  the  soldier 
of  the  Republic  on  the  land  toils  on  the  weary  march  or 
bivouacs  in  the  silence  of  the  night,  or  the  sailor  on  the 
broad  expanse  of  ocean  keeps  his  weary  watch  and  vigil, 
that  the  citizens  of  the  Republic  may  rest  secure,  while 
over  all  He  who  watches  over  the  destinies  of  this  mighty 
nation  of  freemen,  He  in  whose  kindly  providence  our 
forefathers  implicitly  trusted,  neither  slumbers  nor  sleeps. 

And  under  this  immortal  banner  men  of  all  shades  of 
political  opinion,  of  all  forms  of  religious  belief,  can  rally 
for  the  eternal  principles  of  right,  justice,  and  liberty 
under  law.  Loyalty  to  the  Stars  and  Stripes — loyalty  to 
the  flag  of  the  nation — that  is  the  creed  of  the  American. 
Perish  the  thought  that  there  may  be  found  dissenters  to 
this  creed  north,  south,  east,  or  west. 

Our  flag,  sir,  is  the  flag  of  peace — it  stands  for  peace, 
and  not  for  war.  Wherever  it  goes  it  carries  encourage- 
ment and  cheer  to  races  of  men  less  favored  than  our- 
selves. It  is  everywhere  a  harbinger  of  hope  to  the 
oppressed. 

It  stands  for  liberty  unsullied  by  wanton  license — for 
freedom  to  worship  God  "  without  let  or  hindrance" — 
for  the  equality  of  all  men  before  the  law — for  the  great- 
est good  to  the  greatest  number. 

42 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 

It  is  the  flag  of  peace,  progress,  and  prosperity — it  is 
not  the  flag  of  selfish  aggrandizement.  It  has  been  the 
symbol  in  battle  of  the  justice  of  its  cause,  for  I  dare  to 
assert  in  the  presence  of  this  great  gathering  that  Ameri- 
cans have  never  waged  unjust  wars  and  that,  God  helping 
them,  they  never  will.  It  is  the  flag  that  in  the  most  ter- 
rible civil  war  of  modern  times  stood  always  for  morality, 
not  rapine;  mercy  and  not  ruthlessness ;  magnanimity  and 
not  revenge — oh,  sir,  the  flag  of  a  benign  Providence  itself, 
for  it  symbolizes  justice,  mercy,  and  unity  under  the  stars 
of  heaven. 

Then,  sir,  if  my  words  be  true,  be  diligent  in  season 
and  out  of  season  to  charge  your  youth  who  enter  these 
venerated  halls  of  learning,  to  love,  cherish,  and  defend 
it. 


43 


THE  COLORS  ACCEPTED 


President  Low  then  accepted  the  colors  in  this  eloquent 
speech : 

COMMANDER  and 

Comrades  of  Lafayette  Post,  G.  A.  R.  : 

On  behalf  of  Columbia  University,  I  accept  with  grati- 
tude and  pleasure  the  flag  you  have  presented  to  us. 
That  you  propose  to  add  to  your  gift  a  permanent  base 
and  staff  for  the  flag,  is  welcome,  but  well  I  know  that  in 
your  thoughts,  as  in  ours,  the  flag  is  the  principal  thing. 
In  the  defence  of  this  flag  and  for  what  it  means,  sons  of 
Harvard,  of  Yale,  of  Princeton,  of  Columbia,  and  of  all 
the  sisterhood  of  American  colleges  have  "  thrown  away 
their  lives  like  a  flower."  In  the  name  of  the  men  of 
King's  College  who  fought  for  the  independence  of  the 
colonies,  and  who  did  so  much  to  establish  the  govern- 
ment of  these  United  States  ;  in  the  name  of  the  men  of 
Columbia  College  who  in  the  War  of  1812  and  in  the 
Mexican  War  fought  under  this  flag  in  the  country's 
quarrel;  and  in  the  name  of  the  men  of  Columbia  Uni- 
versity who  fought,  as  you  fought,  in  the  war  for  the 
preservation  of  the  Union,  and  who   helped  to  bring 

47 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


unscathed  out  of  the  storm  of  the  war  this  glorious  flag, 
I  pledge  you  for  this  University  that  we  shall  "  love, 
cherish,  and  defend  it."  As  we  shall  be  ready,  God 
helping  us, to  die  for  it  in  case  of  need,  so  I  trust  we  shall 
be  ready  to  live  for  it,  striving  always  to  make  the  coun- 
try over  which  it  floats  ever  worthier  to  be  loved. 

Long  as  thine  art  shall  love  true  love, 

Long  as  thy  science  truth  shall  know, 
Long  as  thine  eagle  harms  no  dove, 

Long  as  thy  law  by  law  shall  grow, 
Long  as  thy  God  is  God  above, 

Thy  brother  every  man  below — 
So  long,  dear  land  of  all  my  love, 

Thy  name  shall  shine,  thy  fame  shall  grow. 


48 


Columbia  University 
in  the  City  of  New  York. 


President's  Room,  May  5,  1896. 

My  Dear  Mr.  Bach: 

Please  accept  my  thanks  for  your  very  cordial  letter  of 
yesterday,  expressing  the  satisfaction  of  Lafayette  Post 
with  the  ceremonial  of  Saturday  afternoon.  By  common 
consent,  the  presence  of  the  Post  and  of  the  Seventy-first 
Regiment  acting  as  their  escort,  added  importantly  to 
the  scenic  effect  of  the  occasion,  and  the  patriotic  episode 
of  the  presentation  of  the  flag  evidently  touched  every 
heart.  I  am  thoroughly  delighted  that  the  Post  is  satis- 
fied with  the  outcome  of  my  suggestion  to  them  that  the 
presentation  of  the  flag  should  be  identified  with  the  occu- 
pancy of  our  new  site.  It  would  have  been  altogether 
impossible  for  us,  in  our  present  location,  to  have  given 
to  the  event  any  such  color  or  character  as  it  had  on 
Saturday. 

Immediately  after  the  ceremony,  I  ventured  to  express 
my  congratulations  personally  to  the  Commander  of  the 
Post  upon  the  admirable  address  in  which  he  presented 
the  flag.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  say  that  my  own  favor- 
able opinion  has  been  confirmed  by  the  observation  of 
4  49 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


many  others.  Please  express  my  thanks  and  the  thanks 
of  the  trustees  to  your  associates  of  the  committee  and 
to  the  comrades  of  the  Post  for  all  that  they  added  to 
the  success  of  Saturday's  ceremonials.  I  am  little  at  a 
loss  to  know  how  to  acknowledge  the  presence  of  the 
regiment  otherwise  than  through  you,  inasmuch  as  they 
were  present  as  the  escort  of  the  Post.  I  trust,  however, 
that  it  may  be  permitted  me,  through  you,  to  express  to 
Colonel  Greene  and  the  members  of  the  regiment  our 
sincere  appreciation  of  their  participation  in  the  interest- 
ing event. 


I  am,  dear  sir, 


Very  respectfully, 


President. 


Mr.  James  B.  Bach, 

Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Lafayette  Post, 
29  Broadway ,  New  York. 


50 


The  Trustees  of  Columbia  College 
in  the  City  of  New  York, 
No.  67  Wall  Street. 


John  B.  Pine,  Clerk. 


New  York,  May  6,  1896. 


James  B.  Bach,  Esc^, 

29  Broadway,  City. 


Dear  Sir :  Mr.  W.  H.  H.  Beebe  has  referred  to  me 
your  letter  of  May  4th,  and  I  take  pleasure  in  sending 
you  herewith  proofs  of  all  the  addresses  of  the  afternoon 
ceremonies  of  the  dedication.  I  regret  that  I  cannot  pro- 
vide you  with  a  sufficient  number  of  copies  of  the  pro- 
gramme to  be  bound  in  your  book,  but  if  half  a  dozen 
copies  will  be  of  any  service  I  shall  be  glad  to  send  them 
to  you. 

Permit  me  to  take  this  opportunity  to  express  the  grati- 
fication of  the  trustees  at  the  part  taken  by  Lafayette 
Post  on  this  occasion.  Their  presence  gave  to  the  day 
a  national  and  patriotic  significance  which  it  would  not 
otherwise  have  had,  and  added  immensely  to  the  dignity 
and  effect  of  the  occasion  as  well  as  to  the  general  inter- 
est. The  gift  of  the  Post  is  appreciated  by  the  trustees 
not  only  on  account  of  its  intrinsic  value,  but  of  its  sig- 
nificance and  its  example. 


Very  respectfully  yours, 


51 


May  7,  1896. 

Mr.  John  B.  Pine, 

67  Wall  Street,  New  York. 

Dear  Sir  :  The  proofs  of  speeches,  etc.,  came  to  hand 
very  acceptably.  I  will  be  glad  to  receive  the  half  dozen 
programmes  offered  by  you.  We  appreciate  the  kind 
words  of  your  letter,  and  we  certainly  have  reason  to  feel 
gratified  that  Lafayette  Post  was  permitted  to  take  so 
prominent  a  part  in  the  ceremonies  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  second  instant. 

Permit  me  to  express  the  belief  that  in  the  future,  as 
well  as  in  the  past,  to  be  a  student  of  Columbia  College 
means  also  to  be  a  lover  of  country  and  our  flag. 

With  one  so  honored  by  all  in  command  at  the  Uni- 
versity, and  so  efficient  board  of  trustees,  the  progress  of 
the  University  to  the  highest  mark  desired  cannot  but 
be  sure. 

Very  respectfully, 


Chairman  of  Committee  of  Lafayette  Post. 


53 


May  7,  1896. 


Hon.  Seth  Low,  President, 

Columbia  University,  New  York. 


Dear  Sir  :  Your  favor  of  the  5th  instant  is  one  that  I 
will  have  the  greatest  pleasure  in  presenting  to  the  Post 
at  its  next  meeting. 

Our  circular  sent  to  our  comrades  when  the  presenta- 
tion was  decided  upon  will  show  that  we  appreciated  the 
honor  at  that  time,  as  we  all  do  now,  that  we  were  per- 
mitted to  participate  in  the  afternoon  ceremonies  of  the 
University. 

Our  Commander  shall  know  of  your  compliment.  I 
have  had  a  copy  of  your  letter  prepared  to  send  to  Colo- 
nel Francis  V.  Greene,  commanding  Seventy-first  Regi- 
ment, which  will  go  with  one  from  me  as  chairman  of 
committee,  thanking  him,  as  you  desire,  for  the  authori- 
ties of  the  University,  as  well  as  conveying  the  thanks 
and  appreciation  of  our  committee  for  the  honorary  escort 
by  his  command  on  the  2d  instant. 


Respectfully, 


Chairman  of  Committee. 


S5 


May  7,  1896. 

Col.  F.  V.  Greene, 

Commanding  71st  Regiment,  N.  G.,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  I  forward  to 
you  a  copy  of  letter  from  the  Hon.  Seth  Low,  President, 
addressed  to  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Lafayette 
Post  on  Presentation  of  Colors  to  Columbia  University, 
wherein  due  acknowledgment  is  made  of  the  presence 
and  services  of  the  Seventy-first  Regiment  at  the  dedi- 
cation of  the  University  grounds  on  Saturday,  May  2d. 
At  Mr.  Low's  request  I  cordially  thank  you  and  the  regi- 
ment for  honoring  the  occasion.  The  appearance  of 
your  regiment  produced  a  fine  effect  in  every  way,  and  it 
certainly  was  a  happy  thought  that  brought  your  offer  to 
Lafayette  Post  to  be  their  escort. 

Please  also  convey  to  your  officers  and  men  the  sincere 
thanks  of  Lafayette  Post  committee  for  the  honor  done 
us,  and  we  desire  to  express  our  admiration  of,  and  es- 
teem for,  yourself,  officers,  and  your  men.  We  thor- 
oughly appreciate  the  great  courtesy  which  prompted 
you  to  such  an  offer,  a  compliment  which  will  not  be 
forgotten. 

Our  committee  send  our  best  wishes  for  you  all. 


Yours  respectfully, 


Chairman  of  Committee  of  Lafayette  Post 
on  Presentation  of  Colors,  etc. 

57 


Headquarters  Seventy-first  Regiment, 
National  Guard,  N.  Y. 

New  York,  May  n,  1896. 

Jas.  B.  Bach,  Esq^, 

Chairman  of  Committee,  etc., 
Lafayette  Post,  G.A.R. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  your  letter  of  May  7th,  enclosing  one  of  May  5th  from 
President  Low,  in  regard  to  the  participation  of  the  regi- 
ment in  the  ceremonies  connected  with  the  dedication  of 
the  grounds  of  Columbia  University  on  May  2d.  I  beg 
to  thank  you,  and,  through  you,  the  Commander  and 
comrades  of  Lafayette  Post,  as  well  as  President  Low, 
for  your  kind  words,  which  will  be  communicated  to  the 
regiment  in  orders  ;  and  also  to  assure  you  that  every 
member  of  the  regiment  was  proud  to  take  part  in  this 
historic  event,  and  specially  pleased  to  witness  those  most 
interesting  and  impressive  ceremonies. 

Assuring  you  of  our  high  regard  and  respect  for  Lafay- 
ette Post,  and  thanking  you  for  the  privilege  of  being 
thus  associated  with  you,  I  remain, 

Very  respectfully  yours, 


Colonel. 

59 


RESOLUTIONS 


adopted  by  the  Post,  June  5,  1896,  and  bound  in  seal- 
skin, which  were  presented  to  Colonel  Francis  V.  Greene, 
January  1,  1897. 

"  Whereas:  The  formal  presentation  of  the  national 
colors  to  Columbia  University  by  Lafayette  Post,  May  2, 
1896,  on  the  occasion  of  the  dedication  of  the  grounds  and 
the  laying  of  the  cornerstone  of  the  great  educational 
structure  to  be  reared,  to  be  followed  by  the  gift  of  a 
granite  base  with  bronze  ornaments  with  a  seventy-foot 
shaft,  was  a  movement  full  of  patriotic  sentiment  and 
loyal  teaching  ;  and 

"  Whereas :  The  escort  to  the  Post  by  the  Seventy-first 
Regiment,  National  Guard,  voluntarily  offered,  gave  evi- 
dence of  the  loyalty  of  that  noble  body  of  troops  to  all 
that  the  flag  represents;  therefore  it  is 

"  Resolved:  That  the  warmest  praise  be  accorded  to 
Colonel  Francis  V.  Greene  and  his  associate  officers  for 
the  quick  perception  of  a  patriotic  purpose  made  manifest 
by  the  tender  of  the  escort  of  the  regiment  of  their 
command  in  a  proper  military  display  on  so  worthy  an 
occasion. 

61 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


"  Resolved:  That  much  is  due  to  the  rank  and  file  for 
the  ready  response  and  full  representation  of  the  regiment 
and  the  martial  bearing  under  orders. 

"  Resolved :  That  whatever  applause  was  bestowed  or 
praise  given  over  the  spectacle  as  the  colors  floated  to  the 
air  amid  the  cheers  of  voice  and  notes  of  trumpet,  should 
be  shared  with  the  escort,  who  added  to  the  scene  by  their 
splendid  appearance. 

"  Resolved :  That  the  thanks  of  Lafayette  Post  be  unani- 
mously given  to  Colonel  Greene,  officers,  and  men,  for 
their  magnanimous  courtesy  so  generously  expressed  by 
full  ranks  and  military  etiquette,  and  that  they  be  suita- 
bly expressed  over  the  signature  of  the  Commander  of  the 
Post,  attested  in  proper  form  and  presented. 


Signed : 


Commander. 


<  i 


Attest: 


"  Wilbur  F.  Brown, 

Adjutant. 


62 


DEDICATION  AND  PRESENTATION 
PEDESTAL  AND  STAFF 


May  7,  1898 


BASE  OF  PEDESTAL 


SOUTH  PANEL 


-EDcecxcvr  - 


WEST  PANEL 


-FRESENTED-TO 

-CQLUMBIA;UNLVERSLTY- 

-  LAFAYETTE-PO  ST- 
-N0-140-DEPT0F-NY- 

-C-R  AN  DARMYOF-TKE-REFUELE- 


EAST  PANEL 


Columbia  University 
in  the  City  of  New  York. 


President's  Room,  April  20,  1898. 


My  dear  Mr.  Bach :  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  kind 
letter  of  yesterday.-  I  suggest  that  the  members  of  your 
Post  rendezvous  in  Schermerhorn  Hall,  which  is  the  new 
building  at  right  angles  to  Amsterdam  Avenue.  The  ap- 
proach is  by  the  front  steps  and  to  the  right  of  the  Library. 
The  main  hall  of  this  building  is  very  wide  and  well 
suited  for  the  formation  of  a  procession,  and  in  immediate 
connection  with  it  is  a  large  lecture  room  with  seats, 
where  the  veterans  can  remain  in  comfort  until  the  time 
comes  to  march. 

I  am  inquiring  whether  the  students'  band  can  play 
"  The  Star  Spangled  Banner."  If  so,  that  will  be,  I  think, 
a  pleasing  feature  of  the  ceremonies.  I  propose  to  invite 
the  trustees,  the  faculty,  and  the  students  to  be  present. 
On  Saturday  afternoon,  in  the  spring,  we  may  not  have 
a  very  large  crowd ;  but  there  will  be  enough,  I  am  sure, 
to  give  dignity  and  interest  to  the  occasion. 

Thanking  you  for  your  good  offices, 


I  am,  respectfully, 


President. 


Mr.  James  B.  Bach,  Chairman, 

29  Broadway,  New  York. 


ORDER  OF  EXERCISES 


AT  DEDICATION  AND  PRESENTATION  OF  PEDESTAL  AND  FLAGSTAFF 
TO  COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY  BY  LAFAYETTE  POST,  NO.  I4O, 
DEPARTMENT  OF  NEW  YORK,  GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC, 
MAY  7,  1898 

President  Low,  with  the  officials  and  students  of  the 
University,  will  assemble  at  Schermerhorn  Hall  at  3.30 
P.M.,  and,  being  duly  formed,  will  precede  and  escort 
Lafayette  Post  to  the  flagstaff  and  pedestal. 

1  Song  and  Chorus— "America." 

2  G.  A.  R.  Ceremonies  of  Raising  the  Flag — 

Lafayette  Post. 

3  Song — "  The  Star  Spangled  Banner." 

4  Prayer  of  the  Ceremonies — By  Chaplain  Wood 

of  the  Post. 

5  Grand  Army  Ceremonies  of  Dedication — 

Lafayette  Post. 

6  PRESENTATION — By  Major-General  Daniel  Butter- 

field,  Commander  of  Lafayette  Post. 

7  Song — "  Three  Cheers  for  the  Red,  White,  and 

Blue." 

8  Acceptance  by  President  Low. 

75 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


9  Song — "  Praise  God  from  Whom  All  Blessings 
Flow." 

io  Benediction—*  Rev.  Morgan  Dix  of  the  Trustees 
of  Columbia  University. 

The  procession  of  officers  and  trustees  of  Columbia 
moved  from  the  Library  ;  Lafayette  Post,  with  music 
and  colors,  moved  from  Schermerhorn  Hall  at  3.30,  and 
formed  at  the  flagstaff.  General  Butterfield,  Post  Com- 
mander, and  President  Low  leading,  followed  by  the 
trustees  and  faculty  of  Columbia  College;  students,  mov- 
ing from  University  Hall,  being  formed  on  the  left. 

SONG—"  America." 

The  Commander,  General  Butterfield,  orders  : 

"  Adjutant,  you  will  detail  a  guard  of  honor." 

(Adjutant  selects  and  calls  his  guard.) 

(Adjutant.)    "  Commander,  the  guard  is  present." 

(Commander.)  "  Officer  of  the  day,  you  will  direct 
the  officer  of  the  guard  to  station  this  detail." 

(Commander.)  "  Holy  Scripture  saith  :  '  The  Lord 
gave  the  word ;  great  was  the  army  of  those  that  pub- 
lished it.'    Ps.  Ixviii.  11. 

"  '  Declare  ye  among  the  nations,  and  publish,  and  set 
up  a  standard.'    Jer.  1.  2. 

"  '  In  the  name  of  our  God  we  will  set  up  our  banners.' 
Ps.  xx.  5. 

*  Acting  for  Rev.  George  R.  Van  De  Water,  the  chaplain  of  the 
University,  who  is  absent  with  his  regiment  in  the  field. 

76 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag. 


"  Officer  of  the  day,  you  will  order  the  guard  of  honor 
to  raise  the  flag." 

(Officer  of  the  day.)  "  Officer  of  the  guard,  let  the  flag 
be  raised." 

(Flag  is  Raised.) 

(Music.)  "  The  Star  Spangled  Banner."  Sung  by 
Post  and  students. 

(Commander.)  "  The  chaplain  will  now  offer  the  prayer 
of  dedication.    (Parade  rest  !  ") 

(Chaplain.)  "  We  pray  Thee  to  make  our  memories 
steadfast,  that  we  may  never  forget  the  generous  sacrifices 
made  for  our  country.  May  the  graves  of  our  heroes  be 
the  altars  of  our  grateful  and  reverential  patriotism. 

"  And  now,  O  God,  bless  Thou  this  memorial. 

"  Bless  it,  O  God,  in  honor  of  mothers  who  bade  their 
sons  do  brave  deeds. 

"  In  honor  of  wives  who  wept  for  husbands  who  would 
never  come  back  again. 

"  In  honor  of  children  whose  heritage  is  their  fallen 
fathers'  heroic  name. 

"  In  honor  of  men  and  women  who  ministered  to  the 
hurt  and  dying. 

"  But  chiefly,  O  God,  in  honor  of  men  who  counted  not 
their  lives  dear  when  their  country  needed  them  ;  of 
those  alike  who  sleep  beside  the  dust  of  their  kindred, 
or  under  the  salt  sea,  or  in  nameless  graves,  where  only 
Thine  angels  stand  sentinels  till  the  reveille  of  the  resur- 
rection morning. 

77 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag. 


"  Protect  it,  and  let  it  endure,  and  unto  the  last  genera- 
tion may  its  influence  be  for  the  education  of  the  citizen, 
for  the  honor  of  civil  life,  for  the  advancement  of  the 
nation,  for  the  blessedness  of  humanity,  and  for  the  fur- 
therance of  Thy  holy  kingdom. 

' '  Hear  us,  O  God.  We  ask  it  in  the  name  of  Him  who 
made  proof  of  the  dignity  and  who  consecrated  the  power 
of  sacrifices  in  His  blessed  life  and  death,  even  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Great  Captain  of  our  salvation. 
Amen  !  " 

(Comrades.)    "  Amen." 

(Commander  Butterfield.)    "  Attention  ! 

"  In  behalf  of  Lafayette  Post,  Department  of  New 
York,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  I  now  dedicate  this 
standard  and  pedestal,  knowing  it  will  keep  bright  memo- 
ries of  those  who  in  the  navy  guarded  our  inland  seas 
and  ocean  coasts,  and  fell  in  defence  of  the  flag.  I  dedi- 
cate it,  knowing  it  will  recall  memories  of  those  who  in 
the  army  fought  for  our  hillsides  and  valleys  and  plains, 
and  fell  in  defence  of  the  flag.  I  dedicate  it,  assured  that 
it  will  bring  heartfelt  gratitude  to  those  who  on  land  and 
on  sea  fought  for  the  Union,  and  fell  in  defence  of  the 
flag  ;  who  on  land  and  on  sea,  fighting  for  their  country, 
and  for  the  law  and  the  Constitution,  fell  in  defence  of  the 
flag;  also  gratitude  to  those  who  are  now  in  arms  at  their 
country's  call,  and  who  stand  ready  with  their  lives,  their 
fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honor  to  do  their  duty." 

(Commander.)    "  Post,  attention  !" 


78 


ADDRESS  OF  PRESENTATION 


By   GENERAL  BUTTERFIELD 

Mr.  President  Low: 

Our  services  of  dedication  are  ended.  Holding  in 
my  hand  a  list  of  the  gallant  sons  of  Columbia  who  in  years 
past,  from  its  foundation  in  1754  down  to  the  commence- 
ment of  the  existing  war  in  April,  1898,  beginning  with 
Thomas  Marston,  a  graduate  of  1758,  your  first  class,  who 
was  a  member  of  the  Revolutionary  Committee  of  1775, 
and  including  such  distinguished  alumni  of  Columbia  as 
John  Parke  Custis;  Harman  Rutgers,  of  the  Continental 
army,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Long  Island  1776;  Major- 
General  Alexander  Hamilton,  of  the  United  States  army, 
who  was  upon  the  staff  of  General  Washington  ;  Jacob 
Morris,  of  1775,  an  aide-de-camp  to  General  Greene  ; 
Ogden  Hoffman,  of  1S12,  midshipman  in  the  United 
States  navy  ;  a  De  Peyster,  captain  of  the  United  States 
army;  a  Kearney,  colonel  of  dragoons  and  brigadier- 
general  in  the  army,  and  governor  of  Vera  Cruz,  and  of 
the  City  of  Mexico  during  the  war  of  1S48  ;  another 
Kearney,  the  famous  brave  and  gallant  "  Phil  "  Kearney,  a 
major-general,  killed  at  Chantilly,  at  the  age  of  forty- 
seven,  in  1862  ;  the  brave  General  Ellis,  killed  at  Gettys- 
6  8r 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


burg,  and  the  noble  Richard  Tilden  Auchmuty,  breveted 
for  gallantry  at  Gettysburg  ;  F.  Augustus  Schermerhorn, 
breveted  for  gallantry  at  Five  Forks,  who  gave  his  splen- 
did yacht  to  the  government  a  few  days  since ;  General 
Stewart  L.  Woodford,  now  on  his  way  to  us  from  Spain; 
General  Henry  E.  Davies,  of  the  class  of  '57,  who  won  his 
stars  as  a  major-general  at  the  point  of  his  sword  in  the 
war  for  the  Union  ;  Henry  Ketteltas,  of  the  same  class, 
breveted  for  gallantry  at  Shiloh,  Chickamauga,  and 
Mission  Ridge  ;  Alfred  T.  Mahan,  who  went  from  here  to 
graduate  at  the  Naval  Academy  in  '59,  and  so  through 
the  long  list  in  the  staff  and  other  departments. 

Time  does  not  permit  to  name  them  all,  although  in- 
cluded with  the  list  are  members  of  our  Post,  and  the 
names  of  such  distinguished  families  as  the  Jays,  the 
Morrises,  the  Kings,  and  members  of  your  faculty  now 
with  you,  the  surgeon-general  of  the  army  and  others. 
These  names  are  reminders  that  it  needs  not  this  flag, 
it  needs  not  eloquence  nor  words  of  patriotism,  for  the 
purpose  of  inculcating  in  the  sons  of  Columbia  a  spirit 
of  devotion  to  flag  and  country.  That  seed  has  been 
well  planted  here,  and  will  continue  in  the  future,  as  in 
the  past,  to  bring  forth  its  fruits.  I  recall  with  pleasure 
and  pride  your  own  eloquent  words  upon  the  historic 
field  of  Gettysburg,  and  your  glorious  tribute  to  the 
gallant  Fourteenth  Regiment  of  Brooklyn,  to-day  again 
in  the  field  at  its  country's  call.  I  fully  realize  what 
effect  the  words  and  example  of  your  administration  of 
Columbia  will  be  ;  it  suffices  to  give  you  for  Columbia 
this  tribute  from  our  Post  of  veterans;  may  it  perform 

82 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


the  double  duty  of  saying  to  you,  to  the  young  men 
assembled  here,  and  to  those  who  will  come  in  the 
future,  that  our  veterans,  and  the  veterans  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  appreciate  the  service  of  Colum- 
bia's sons  for  that  flag,  and  have  full  confidence  that 
their  glorious  service  in  the  past  will  always  be  repeated 
in  the  future. 

In  the  name  of  my  comrades  of  Lafayette  Post,  No. 
140,  Department  of  New  York,  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public, representing  soldiers  and  sailors  who  defended 
the  integrity  and  authority  of  the  nation  in  the  past;  in 
the  names  of  my  comrades  who  in  the  present  are  again 
showing  their  loyalty  and  devotion  to  the  flag  and  coun- 
try, I  present  to  you  this  pedestal  and  staff  dedicated  to 
the  purposes  set  forth  in  the  address  of  our  late  Com- 
mander and  comrade,  Admiral  Meade,  when  the  flag, 
glorious  emblem  of  our  nationality,  was  presented  two 
years  since.  With  those  ceremonies  we  may  now  recall 
the  words  and  promise  of  our  then  Commander,  the  gal- 
lant and  lamented  Meade. 

You  will  find  in  imperishable  bronze  the  words  so  im- 
pressively spoken  on  these  grounds  to  you  by  Admiral 
Meade:  "  Love,  cherish,  and  defend  it."  You  will  also 
find  the  emblem  of  our  order,  whose  history  (yet  unwrit- 
ten) I  trust  some  day  may  be,  replete  as  it  is  with  the 
grandest  spirit  and  example  of  fraternity,  charity,  and 
loyalty  of  a  noble  character,  in  the  service  and  the  money 
it  has  given  from  the  generosity  of  our  comrades  to  com- 
rades and  their  families  in  distress. 

Accept  it,  sir,  with  our  trust  that  the  historic  loyalty 

83 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


and  devotion  of  Columbia  to  our  country  and  flag,  its 
prompt  response  to  every  call  and  requirement  there- 
for, will  continue  to  add  to  the  rolls  of  honor  to  be  em- 
blazoned upon  the  walls  of  your  splendid  and  historical 
institution  of  learning.  It  is  yours,  the  gift  of  our  com- 
rades to  Columbia. 

Accept  it,  sir,  and  may  blessings  and  prosperity  ever 
rest  upon  you  and  upon  Columbia  in  future  as  in  the 
past  while  you  adhere  always  to  the  principles  and  spirit 
it  illustrates  and  calls  forth — 

AND  MAY  GOD  BLESS  COLUMBIA. 

Song — "  Three  Cheers  for  the  Red,  White,  and  Blue." 


84 


ACCEPTANCE  OF  PEDESTAL  AND  STAFF 


By  PRESIDENT  LOW 

GEN.  BUTTERFIELD,  Commander,  and 

Comrades  of  Lafayette  Post: 

When  Lafayette  Post,  only  two  years  ago,  at  the  dedi- 
cation of  this  site,  gave  to  this  University  the  national 
colors,  and  made  the  promise,  so  generously  fulfilled 
to-day,  of  this  lofty  and  noble  staff  from  which  our  coun- 
try's flag  now  proudly  flies,  it  did  not  seem  likely  that 
within  so  short  a  time  the  United  States  would  be  at 
war.  The  flag  that  we  then  received  at  your  hands  was 
the  more  precious  to  us,  nevertheless,  because,  in  your 
presence,  we  could  not  forget  that  our  flag  is  what  it  is 
by  reason  of  the  self-sacrifices  that  have  been  freely  made 
for  its  sake;  and  because  we  rejoice  to  receive  the  flag 
from  men  who  had  themselves  fought  for  what  it  stands 
for,  under  its  inspiring  folds.  It  was  not,  therefore,  in 
careless  mood,  but  most  reverently  and  earnestly,  that, 
in  receiving  the  flag  at  your  hands,  the  men  of  Columbia 
University  promised  to  "  love,  cherish,  and  defend  it." 
More  quickly,  I  dare  say,  than  any  of  us  then  thought 
probable,  the  time  has  come  when  you  may  judge  in 

87 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


what  spirit  the  Columbia  of  to-day  is  likely  to  redeem 
that  pledge.  As  you  have  yourself  pointed  out,  sir,  we 
would  be  false  to  all  our  traditions  were  we  to  be  back- 
ward in  responding  to  the  call  of  the  country  at  such  a 
time  as  this.  But  there  has  been  no  hesitation.  The 
University  has  already  surrendered  four  of  its  officers  to 
the  public  service,  and  has  charged  me  to  see  that  not 
one  of  them  suffers  by  reason  of  his  absence  at  his  coun- 
try's call.  The  captain  of  the  University  crew  has 
handed  in  his  resignation  that  he  might  go  out  with  the 
naval  militia,  and  the  students  have  accepted,  uncom- 
plainingly, this  heavy  blow  to  an  interest  that  is  very 
dear  to  their  hearts.  Scarcely  a  regiment  or  a  naval 
battalion  has  volunteered  from  these  parts  that  has  not 
counted  in  its  ranks  one  or  more  of  our  students;  and 
others  stand  ready  to  follow  when  the  call  comes.  I  do 
not  know  how  many  have  gone  in  all;  but  enough,  cer- 
tainly, to  bring  home  to  those  who  are  left  a  realizing 
sense  af  the  paramount  claims  of  the  country,  and  to 
assure  you  that  your  trust  in  the  men  of  Columbia  has 
not  been  misplaced.  I  must  be  permitted,  also,  to  refer 
with  pride  and  gratification,  as  the  President  of  the  Uni- 
versity, to  the  patriotic  act  of  Mr.  F.  Augustus  Schermer- 
horn,  both  an  alumnus  and  a  trustee,  who  in  the  present 
emergency  has  freely  given  his  yacht  to  the  government, 
as  in  the  days  of  '61— '65  he  offered  his  life.  He  was 
breveted,  as  you  have  said,  sir,  for  gallant  conduct  at 
the  battle  of  Five  Forks;  and  he  is  breveted  now  again, 
by  the  public  voice,  as  a  citizen  worthy  of  high  honor 
because  he  has  chosen  to  give  this  vessel  to  the  govern- 

88 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


ment  at  a  time  when  he  might  have  sold  the  yacht  to  it 
at  a  high  price.  These  are  the  things  that  show  Colum- 
bia's spirit;  and  they  show,  I  am  glad  to  believe,  the 
same  lofty  patriotism  that  has  animated  the  men  of 
Columbia  from  the  beginning. 

But  if  this  flag  and  staff  make  an  especial  appeal  to  our 
patriotism,  that  is  only  a  part  of  the  service  they  will  do 
for  us.  They  will  inspire  the  scholar  at  his  desk  and  the 
graduate  in  his  office  no  less  than  the  volunteer  on  land 
and  sea.  The  country  needs  men  willing  to  die  for  it, 
but  it  also  needs  men  willing  to  live  for  it.  The  country 
has  need  of  sound  learning,  of  fearless  investigation,  of 
patient  study  and  reflection,  no  less  than  of  the  service 
that  can  be  rendered  in  the  day  of  battle.  No  hope  can 
lie  in  the  atmosphere  of  this  University,  no  ambition  can 
be  cherished  here,  that  will  not  gather  fresh  inspiration 
from  the  sight  of  this  staff  and  banner  with  their  silent 
but  eloquent  summons  to  the  constant  service  of  country 
and  of  mankind.  Was  there  ever  a  flag  before  in  the 
world's  long  history  that  stood  for  so  wide  a  sympathy 
with  the  downtrodden  and  the  oppressed  ?  that  meant 
so  much  of  help  and  hope  to  the  weak  and  the  discour- 
aged ?  Nor  can  I  doubt  that,  as  we  look  upon  our  coun- 
try's flag,  the  feeling  of  gratitude  will  be  deepened  in  us 
all  for  the  blessings  of  civil  liberty  and  for  the  opportuni- 
ties for  study  and  for  usefulness  that  abound  in  the  wide 
land  over  which  float  so  caressingly  the  Stars  and  Stripes. 
I  am  confident,  therefore,  that  all  our  life  in  the  Univer- 
sity will  be  the  deeper,  the  broader,  and  the  richer 
because  of  this  flag  and  the  staff  that  you  have  given  to 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


us.  If  this  be  so,  what  more  can  you  ask?  You  have 
added  to  our  life  as  a  university  some  touch  of  the  ear- 
nestness that  strengthens  purpose;  some  breath  of  the 
sympathy  that  constrains  to  an  unselfish  life;  some  sense 
of  the  loyalty  that  elevates  and  ennobles  all  who  submit 
themselves  to  its  influence.  For  all  this  we  thank  you  ; 
and  again  we  pledge  ourselves  to  you  who  have  given  to 
us  this  staff  and  this  beautiful  and  precious  flag,  the  flag 
of  our  beloved  country,  that  in  peace  and  in  war,  in  war 
and  in  peace,  we  will  "  love,  cherish,  and  defend  it." 

Hymn — "  Praise  God  from  Whom  All  Blessings  Flow." 

Benediction  by  Chaplain  Wood  of  Lafayette  Post. 


90 


Columbia  University 
in  the  City  of  New  York. 

President's  Room,  May  9,  1898. 

My  dear  General  Batter  field :  I  write  just  a  line  to  tell 
you  how  much  we  all  enjoyed  the  ceremony  of  Saturday 
afternoon.  Every  one  who  took  part  in  it  thought  it  a 
most  impressive  occasion.  I  need  not  say  to  you  that 
we  are  very  proud  of  our  staff  and  flag,  and  that  the  Uni- 
versity feels  very  closely  united  in  interest  with  Lafayette 
Post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Thanking  you  and  the  Post  for  all  you  have  done  for 
us,  I  am, 

Respectfully, 

4 

President. 

Gen.  Daniel  Butterfield, 

616  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York. 


91 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PEDESTAL  AND  STAFF 


The  flagstaff  is  a  single  stick  of  Oregon  pine,  18  in. 
diameter  at  butt  and  7  in.  diameter  at  top,  surmounted 
with  a  gilt  eagle  with  wings  spread. 

The  butt  of  the  staff  is  set  in  a  cast-iron  base  3  ft.  by 
3  ft.  by  16  in.  high  and  2  in.  thick,  which  in  turn  is  set 
in  a  solid  mass  of  concrete  9  ft.  by  9  ft.  by  9  ft. 

The  pedestal,  of  pink  Tennessee  marble,  rests  on  a  gran- 
ite base  octagonal  in  shape,  9  ft.  8  in.  smallest  diameter 
by  9  in.  thick.  The  pedestal  itself,  also  octagonal  in 
shape,  is  in  three  courses,  18  in.,  22  in.,  and  8  in.,  respec- 
tively, thick,  or  4  ft.  above  the  base. 

The  middle  course  is  panelled  on  four  sides  to  receive 
the  bronze  design  and  lettering  as  elsewhere  shown  by 
photographic  reproductions. 

The  pedestal  is  surmounted  with  bronze  work  of  a 
highly  ornamental  character  4  ft.  in  height. 


93 


SPECIFICATION 


As  finally  approved  by  the  committee  on  behalf  of  the  Post  for  the 
work  to  be  done  in  the  erection  and  completion  of  the  foundations, 
base,  and  flagpole  to  be  erected  at  Columbia  College,  Morningside 
Heights,  New  York  City,  for  Lafayette  Post,  No.  140,  Department 
of  New  York,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  in  accordance  with  the 
plans  prepared  by  and  under  the  general  superintendence  of 

McKim,  Mead  &  White,  Architects, 
160  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 

7ufy,  1897. 

Do  all  necessary  excavations  as  shown  by  the  plans 
Excavations         sections  and  to  the  dimensions  marked  thereon,  and 
remove  all  superfluous  earth,  etc. 
Level  off  and  ram  the  bottom  to  a  true  surface. 

Lay  the  concrete  footings  as  shown  by  the  drawings  ; 
the  concrete  to  be  composed  in  the  proportion  of  one  of 
Dyckerhoff  Portland  cement  to  two  of  sand,  to  four  of  broken  stone. 

The  cement  to  be  of  the  best  quality  Dyckerhoff  Portland  cement, 
and  to  stand  the  tests  used  by  the  Columbia  College  authorities  in 
testing  all  cements  used  in  the  construction  of  their  buildings. 

The  sand  to  be  of  the  best  quality  Cow  Bay  sand,  clean,  sharp 
grit,  free  from  salt,  loam,  or  other  deleterious  matter,  and  to  be 
properly  screened  before  mixing  the  cement. 

The  stone  to  be  of  sound  granite,  gneiss,  or  trap-rock,  screened 
free  of  dirt  and  rotten  stone,  and  washed  if  required  and  directed 
before  using  ;  to  be  of  the  size  of  hens'  eggs,  or  that  which  will  go 
through  a  two-inch  mesh  screen.  All  to  be  carefully  measured  in 
barrels  and  mixed  in  proper  plank  boxes  prepared  for  the  purpose. 

95 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


The  cement  and  sand  to  be  mixed  dry  and  spread  over  the  broken 
stone,  then  a  sufficient  quantity  of  clean  water  is  to  be  lightly  sprinkled 
on,  and  the  whole  turned  over  and  mixed  uniformly  until  fit  to  be 
laid  in  the  foundations,  as  will  be  approved  by  the  architects. 

Lay  in  the  foundations  in  layers  of  about  eight  inches  in  thickness, 
and  level  off  and  ram  on  top  of  each  layer  until  the  moisture  comes 
on  the  surface. 

Lay  so  as  to  break  bond  if  jointed,  and  properly  rough  up  clean 
and  moisten  the  surfaces  of  each  course  before  laying  the  next  course. 

After  the  first  course  of  concrete  is  laid,  the  cast-iron  shoe  plate 
will  be  set  to  receive  the  pole,  and  a  twenty-four  inch  square  mold 
will  be  set  on  top  of  shoe  to  form  hollow  square  in  concrete  to  receive 
shaft. 

All  concrete  to  be  laid  as  rapidly  as  practicable. 

Level  off  on  top  of  beds  for  first  course  of  granite  steps. 

After  the  pole  has  been  set  in  place  fill  in  the  space  between  the 
pole  and  the  face  of  concrete  with  liquid  Portland  cement,  tamped 
down  until  filled  solid  to  the  top  of  the  concrete. 

Fill  in  around  the  concrete  foundations  on  the  out- 
Fiiimg  m  ^.^^  with  ciean  coarse  gravel  and  earth,  thoroughly  and 
firmly  rammed  to  the  level  of  under  side  of  first  course  of  granite  steps. 

Provide  and  set  a  cast-iron  shoe  plate  as  per  detail,  to  receive  the 
butt  of  flagpole,  to  be  a  good,  sound,  clean  casting,  of  tough  gray 
Cast-iron  iron,  out  of  wind  and  free  from  all  defects,  of  the  dimen- 
Shoe  Plate  sions  and  thicknesses  shown  on  the  details,  to  be  painted 
one  coat  before  setting  of  Detroit  Graphite  paint  for  iron  and  another 
coat  after  setting,  to  be  set  on  the  top  of  concrete  in  Portland  cement, 
true  and  level. 

The  granite  to  be  used  in  the  first  course  in  ground  will  be  of 
the  best  quality  Pink  Milford  from  the  quarries  of  Norcross  Brothers 
or  the  Pink  Milford  Granite  Company. 

Cut  Granite  r  ' 

and  Marble       The  marble  to  be  used  to  be  Pink  Knoxville. 

The  granite  and  marble  to  be  selected  from  the  best 
stock  the  quarries  produce,  and  must  be  entirely  free  from  vents, 
shakes,  streaks,  and  any  or  all  other  defects,  and  be  of  good  and  even 
color.  No  patched  or  filled  stones  will  be  accepted.  The  granite 
and  marble  to  be  cut  so  as  to  lie  on  their  natural  quarry  bed  when 
set,  and  must  hold  the  full  sections  and  lengths  and  be  bonded  as 
called  for  by  the  drawings. 

96 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


All  beds,  builds,  and  joints  will  be  fine  point  work,  full,  true, 
square,  level,  and  plumb  for  J  inch  joints  ;  no  slack  beds  or  joints 
will  be  allowed. 

The  face  work  will  be  of  the  best  quality  ten  cut  work  ;  the  mold- 
ings, arrises,  angles,  etc.,  to  be  all  cut  sharp  and  clean. 
The  tops  of  steps  to  be  weathered. 

The  raised  faces  of  panels  on  the  sides  of  die  of  pedestal  will  be 
polished  in  the  most  thorough  manner  ;  no  acid  must  be  used. 

Cut  all  dowel,  cramp,  and  lewis  holes  that  may  be  necessary,  and 
provide  all  copper  dowels  and  cramps. 

Cut  the  hole  through  the  centre  of  pedestal,  die  and  capping  to 
permit  the  passage  of  the  flagpole  through  same  into  the  foundation, 
to  be  six  inches  larger  in  diameter  than  the  base  of  the  pole. 

Set  the  first  course — granite — in  four  stones  as  shown  ;  the  second 
course — marble — or  step  course  with  molded  face  and  nosings  in 
four  stones,  the  molded  panelled  die  of  pedestal — marble — in  one 
stone,  and  the  capping — marble — of  same  in  one  stone. 

All  to  be  set  in  H.  H.  Meier  &  Co.'s  "  Puzzolan  "  cement  and 
sand  mortar,  mixed  in  the  proportion  of  one  of  cement  to  three  of 
sand. 

The  putty  for  pointing  the  joints  to  be  of  Meier's  cement  lime 
putty  and  Rockaway  sand,  mixed  in  the  proportions  of  one  of 
cement,  six  of  putty,  and  eight  of  white  sand,  the  cement  and  sand 
to  be  mixed  thoroughly  together  dry,  water  added  gradually  in  mix- 
ing to  prevent  the  flooding  of  the  cement  away.  The  joints  will  be 
raked  out  carefully  and  trimmed  off,  and  be  pointed  with  the  above 
mortar  in  the  neatest  manner. 

The  granite  and  marble  work  will  be  cleaned  off  and  washed 
down  with  clean  water,  wire  brushes,  and  sponges  on  the  completion 
of  the  work,  and  left  clean  and  perfect  before  delivery  to  the  trustees. 

Back  up  the  first  two  courses  of  granite  and  marble 
as  shown  with  hard  North  River  brick,  laid  in  Meier's 
cement  mortar  as  already  described. 

A  plaster  model  of  the  bronze  base  to  flagpole,  and  letters, 
wreaths,  etc.,  will  be  submitted  to  the  architects  for  their  approval, 
Bronze  the  modeller  to  be  selected  by  the  architects,  and  the 
Work  model  when  approved  must  be  carried  out  in  the  exe- 

cution of  the  work  to  their  entire  satisfaction. 

7  97 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


Bronze  metal  to  be  composed  of  90^  copper  and  10%  tin  alloy,  fths 
of  which  is  to  be  all  tin.  The  base  to  be  made  in  separate  rings, 
each  with  flange  bearings  at  the  moldings  shown  to  permit  of  the 
sway  of  the  pole  ;  the  bottom  ring  to  be  secured  to  the  granite  cap 
of  pedestal  by  bronze  expansion  bolts  through  flanges  cast  on  the 
ring  for  that  purpose,  or  bronze  knees.  On  the  top  ring  provide 
proper  flashing  let  into  the  pole,  and  cover  the  upper  surface  of  top 
ring.  The  whole  bronze  work  to  be  finished  a  natural  bronze  color 
or  oxidized  as  will  be  directed  by  the  architects,  and  be  well  lacquered 
before  setting. 

The  letters,  wreaths,  clasp,  and  medal  will  all  be  of  bronze  metal, 
in  accordance  with  the  details  of  same,  provided  with  pins  on  the 
backs  for  securing  to  face  of  marble  panels.  The  drilling  of  the 
marble  for  these  letters  to  be  done  in  the  most  careful  manner  so 
that  the  holes  will  not  be  seen  after  the  letters  have  been  put  in 
place,  all  to  be  secured  with  proper  cement  and  cleaned  off  and  left 
perfect. 

A  model  of  the  eagle  and  ball  will  be  made  and  submitted  to  the 
architects  for  their  approval,  and  the  work  will  be  carried  out  in 
Copper  accordance  therewith  with  twenty  oz.  copper.  The 

Eagle  and  workmanship  to  be  of  the  most  artistic  kind,  to  be 
properly  mounted  on  bronze  or  copper  standard,  let  into 
and  secured  to  the  top  of  flagpole.  The  molded  capping  to  the  top 
of  pole  will  be  of  20  oz.  copper  as  per  detail,  all  to  be  finished  on 
surface  as  directed  by  the  architects. 

The  flagpole  will  be  of  white  pine,  free  from  sap,  shakes,  and  all 
other  defects,  18  inches  diameter  at  the  butt,  7\  inches  diameter 

Flagpole        at  t'le  t0P'  anc*  not  'ess  t'lan  9°  ^eet  'on£'  t0  ke  dressed 
round  and  tapering  and  well  smoothed  with  sandpaper, 

ready  for  painting. 

The  portion  of  the  flagpole  imbedded  in  the  iron  shoe,  concrete, 
and  masonry  to  receive  two  good  coats  of  waterproof  asphaltic 
cement  before  setting,  the  remainder  of  the  pole  to  be  painted  four 
coats  of  white  lead  and  oil,  flat  finish,  or  colored  as  may  be  decided 
by  the  architects. 

The  pole  to  be  provided  with  solid  bronze  pulley  block  at  top, 
properly  secured  there,  and  bronze  cleats  at  bottom  with  best  quality 
Manila  halyards  of  sufficient  size  and  length. 


98 


LIST  OF  MEMBERS  OF  LAFAYETTE  POST  WHO 
SUBSCRIBED  FOR  THE  PEDESTAL,  STAFF,  AND 
FLAGS 


ATWOOD,  C.  G. 
ADAMS,  G.  E. 
AGENS,  F.  G. 
ADAMS,  H.  H. 
AMMON,  JOHN  H. 

BACH,  JAMES  B. 
BUTTERFIELD,  DANIEL 
BARNES,  A.  C. 
BENTON,  C.  A. 
BLANCHARD,  JAS.  A. 
BAKEWELL,  A.  C. 
BROWER,  BLOOMFIELD 
BRIGGS,  JOHN 
BRADY,  OWEN  J. 
BARNES,  EDWARD  F. 
BLACKGROVE,  J.  F. 
BOSTROEM,  A. 
BURGOYNE,  THEO. 
BRITTON,  EUGENE 
BANTA,  WM. 
BLAKE,  ASA  S. 
BLASCHECK,  JOSEPH 
BOLANDER,  W.  H. 


BRINCKERHOFF,  G.  G. 
BUEK,  CHAS. 
BURTIS,  J.  S. 
BRACKETT,  L.  C. 
BARTLETT,  H.  T. 
BENSON,  JAMES 
BROWN,  WILBUR  F. 
BOLITHO,  EDWIN 
BENNETT,  EZRA  W. 
BURRELL,  J.  P. 
BROWN,  CHAS.  E. 
BEYEA,  DR.  J.  L. 
BENEDICT,  C.  A. 
BANKS,  JOSEPH  E. 
BUTLER,  G.  B. 
BUTLER,  E.  M. 
BUTLER,  H.  P. 
BADGER,  W.  W. 
BRUNDAGE,  M.  T. 
BARKER,  EDWARD 
BARNES,  F.  E. 
BRADY,  JAS.  W. 
BROOKS,  F.  W. 
BRAMAN,  JOS.  B. 
99 


Lafayette 

Post  and  the  Flag 

BARRON,  JOHN  C. 

CASSE,  A.  J. 

BENT,  F.  E. 

COLGATE,  JOHN  H. 

BEACH,  DENNIS 

CONTERNO,  L. 

BARGER,  F.  C. 

COWEN,  GEO.  W. 

BONTECOU,  A.  F. 

CUDNER,  A.  M. 

BLOOMINGDALE,  LYMAN G.  CARHART,  JAS.  L. 

BUSSEY,  CYRUS 

CARMAN,  C.  Q. 

CONNICK,  A.  J. 

CHASE,  C.  W. 

COIT,  GEO.  M. 

COOKE,  G.  T. 

CASE,  GEO.  W. 

COPP,  WM.  A. 

COOPER,  J.  G. 

CONKLIN,  EUGENE  H. 

COOK,  JOHN  H. 

COGSWELL,  W.  S. 

CHEROUNY,  H.  W. 

DARLING,  W.  L. 

CONNOR,  E.  S. 

DAVIS,  H.  M. 

CHURCH,  H.  I. 

DENNETT,  A.  W. 

CURTIS,  E.  W. 

DINGMAN,  JOHN  H. 

COON,  CHAS.  H. 

DUNLAP,  G.  E. 

CLANCY,  JOHN  J. 

DEVOE,  ISAAC  N. 

CHAPMAN,  J.  H. 

DUSENBERRY,  O.  W. 

CLARK,  H.  O. 

DICK,  W.  B. 

CONROW,  W.  E. 

DICKINSON,  E.  B. 

CONROW,  THEO. 

DODGE,  F.  S. 

CAN  FIELD,  C.  T. 

DUNCAN,  J.  M. 

CROMWELL,  GEO. 

DART,  EDWARD 

CURTIS,  G.  M. 

DORE,  JOSEPH 

COLLIS,  C.  H.  T. 

COFFIN,  GEO.  H. 

EVERTS,  DANIEL  T. 

CONNELL,  W.  H. 

EDGAR,  GEORGE  P. 

CALLENDER,  W.  E. 

EVANS,  L.  D. 

CLIFFORD,  T.  B. 

ELLSWORTH,  WM. 

CLARKE,  L.  D. 

EVANS,  R.  D. 

COBURN,  C.  M. 

ERNST,  WM.  M. 

CONWAY,  J.  F. 

EVERSON,  CHAS. 

CLEARMAN,  L.  L.  S. 

EVERSON,  W.  H. 

IOO 

Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


FOSTER,  FRED. 
FORDHAM,  E.  H. 
FRANCIS,  JOHN  H. 
FREE,  SAMUEL  E. 
FIELD,  R.  M.,  JR. 
FRANCIS,  A.  T. 
FLINT,  H. 
FLYNN,  JAMES 
FACKNER,  EDWARD 
FISHER,  H.  C. 
FUNSTON,  HUGH  M. 

GIBBS,  T.  K. 
GREENE,  R.  H. 
GREELEY,  A.  W. 
GARDINER,  J.  G. 
GEROW,  J.  F. 
GRADY,  J.  H. 
GILLEN,  D.  J. 
GREVES,  JAMES  S. 
GILLIS,  C.  J. 
GULAGER,  P.  D. 
GOULD,  R.  S. 
GREENE,  A.  P. 
GALLATIN,  FREDERIC 
GOODRIDGE,  L.  O. 

HATCH,  W.  A. 
HOMER,  C.  F. 
HENDRICKS,  E. 
HOOK,  S.  MERRITT 
HADDOCK,  WASH'N  M. 
HECKSCHER,  JOHN  G. 
HYDE,  J.  B. 
HART,  LUCIUS 


HAMBLER,  W.  H. 
HOPPER,  J.  C. 
HEMMING,  JOHN  J. 
HALL,  ERNEST 
HALL,  A.  B. 
HILLIARD,  J.  P. 
HAYS,  BENJ.  J. 
HOWLETT,  H.  J. 
HEDENBERG,  G.  B. 
HOTCHKISS,  H.  L. 
HUMMEL,  CHAS.  C. 
HOYT,  A.  B. 
HANKS,  HORACE  T. 
HAMILTON,  JOHN 
HOWE,  S.  O. 
HERKNER,  HENRY  F. 
HOLLY,  HENRY  H. 
HALL,  H.  B. 
HABERMAN,  SIMON 
HOWELL,  WM.  P. 
HULL,  JOHN  H. 

JONES,  G.  W. 
JOHNSON,  DANIEL  H. 
JACKSON,  W.  H. 
JOHNSON,  R.  C. 
JONES,  MEREDITH  L. 
JACKSON,  E.  G. 
JAHN,  GUSTAVE  A. 
JAQUES,  WASH.  L. 
JOHNSON,  B.  S. 
JONES,  FRANK 

KAMPING,  J.  A. 
KEMP,  JOHN  H. 

IOI 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


KENDALL,  GEO.  M. 
KENNEDY,  D.  T. 
KARLEN,  A.  T. 
KELLY,  W.  J. 
KNIGHT,  G.  N. 
KANE,  CHAS.  W. 
KILMER,  GEO.  L. 

LITTLE,  JOSEPH  J. 
LOWERRE,  CHAS.  H. 
LOVELAND,  FRANK  C. 
LODER,  GEO.  S. 
LEMON,  W.  H. 
LEWIS,  JOHN  N. 
LENT,  W.  H. 
LITTLE,  JAS.  K. 
LEWIS,  JAMES  F. 
LITTLE,  E. 
LAMBERT,  WM. 
LOWERRE,  THOS.  H. 
LOTT,  GEO.  G. 
LONG,  J.  C. 
LEALE,  CHARLES  A. 
LIBBY,  OLIVER 
LIVERMORE,  FRANK 
LAWRENCE,  JOHN 
LELAND,  FRANCIS  L. 
LOWRY,  A.  M. 
LUDOVICI,  JULIUS 

McINDOE,  P.  W. 
McCABE,  R.  T. 

Mcdonald,  j.  m. 

McMURRAY,  R.  K. 
MILLS,  A.  G. 


MARTIN,  H.  P. 
MORAN,  D.  C. 
MARLOR,  H.  S. 
MEADE,  R.  W. 
MARVIN,  A.  S. 
MORGAN,  T.  J. 
MURRAY,  JOSEPH 
MILLER,  HENRY 
MOTT,  J.  O. 
MILLETT,  G.  S. 
MORRIS,  FORDHAM 
MINGAY,  E.  B. 
MITCHELL,  H.  W. 
MORISON,  JAMES  J. 
MORRISON,  R.  A. 
MORISON,  FRED.  S. 
MARX,  DAVID 
MOUTOUX,  W.  E. 
MALEES,  J.  H. 
MARLOR,  GEO.  W. 
MURPHY,  P.  H. 
MITCHELL,  W.  H. 

NUGENT,  ROBT. 
NOE,  H.  M. 
NORRIS,  W.  L. 
NELSON,  A. 
NORTON,  E.  N. 

OAKES,  F.  J. 
OLCOTT,  E.  R. 
OGDEN,  W.  B. 

PIERSON,  J.  FRED. 
PINKNEY,  FRED.  H. 

102 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


PHELPS,  H.  P. 
PERKINS,  GEO.  F. 
PARKINSON,  W.  B. 
PIERSON,  H.  L. 
PROCTOR,  WM. 
PRIDE,  A.  H. 
PIERCE,  L.  K. 
PERKINS,  R.  E. 
PANCOAST,  G.  W. 
PHELPS,  D.  F. 
PETERSEN,  OTTO  L. 
PLUMMER,  J.  F. 

RANSOM,  RASTUS  S. 
ROSE,  DANA  A. 
RIGGS,  GEO.  S. 
RENNE,  D.  F. 
RICHARDS.  T.  A. 
RATHBONE,  R.  C. 
RAEFLE,  MAX  G. 
RIBLET,  W.  H. 
REGAN,  JAMES 
ROGERS,  W.  E. 
ROSEDALE,  W.  V.  N. 
RICHARDSON,  M.  H. 
ROAKE,  JOHN  S. 
ROBERTS,  J.  C. 
ROBBINS,  GEO.  W. 

SHEPARD,  W.  E. 
SALISBURY,  RICHARD  L. 
SHADE,  CHAS.  E. 
STIEGLITZ,  EDWARD 
SCOTT,  W.  A  . 
SWINNEY,  E.  G. 


SHOEMAKER,  H.  F. 
SETON,  WM. 
SNYDER,  W.  J. 
SCHEUER,  ADOLPH 
SIMMONS,  H.  E. 
ST.  JOHN,  H.  W. 
SEWARD,  REV.  S.  S. 
SAXTON,  J.  C. 
SMITHWICK,  J.  G. 
SUTHERLAND,  M.  A. 
STARR,  W.  E. 
SMITH,  GRANVILLE  B. 
SILL,  GEO.  W. 
STOKES,  GEO.  W. 
SMITH,  HENRY  A. 
SCHOONMAKER,  J.  S. 
SIMPSON,  WM. 
SEWARD,  WM. 
SMITH,  GEO.  W. 
STEELE,  A.  H. 
SHEPHERD,  CHAS.  H.  B. 
SMITH,  RODNEY 
SONNENBERG,  CHARLES 
SMITH,  H.  COLE 
SERRELL,  E.  W. 
STEDMAN,  F.  B. 
STARRING,  F.  A. 
SCOTT,  G.  D. 

TANDY,  C.  W. 
THOMAS,  SAM'L 
THAYER,  H.  W. 
THOMSON,  P.  M. 
TAYLOR,  G.  C. 
THORP,  FRANK 
103 


Lafayette 

Post  and  the  Flag 

TERRY,  JOHN  D. 

WALLING,  J.  H. 

TUCKERMAN,  E.  G. 

WILLIAMS,  EDGAR 

THAIN,  ALEX. 

WEEBER,  WM. 

TUTHILL,  GEO. 

WOTHERSPOON,  H.  H. 

THOMPSON,  JERE  S. 

WYMAN,  J.  C. 

TOPPING,  C.  W. 

WRAY,  A.  H. 

TUTHILL,  H.  S. 

WESSELLS,  C.  H. 

THORNE,  T.  A. 

WALKER,  J.  Q.  A. 

TOBIAS,  J.  M. 

WICKHAM,  D.  O. 

TRENOR,  H.  H. 

WOLFE,  H.  G. 

TOWN,  F.  E. 

WOOD,  E.  E. 

WILSON,  JOHN  M. 

UTTER,  DR.  F.  A. 

WYCKOFF,  ALBERT  T. 

ULMAN,  H.  CHARLES 

WRIGHT,  C.  J. 

WELLS,  I.  J. 

VOUTE,  J.  OSCAR 

WALLACE,  WM. 

VAN  SICLEN,  H.  K. 

WHITE,  HENRY  K. 

VAN  WINKLE,  E.  B. 

WELLMAN,  W.  P. 

VALK,  FRANCIS 

WARE,  R.  F. 

VILLEPLAIT,  A.  B. 

WAGNER,  FRED  C. 

VAN  BENSCHOTEN,  E. 

W.     WEBB,  HENRY 

VASSAR,  R.  G. 

WEBB,  ALEX.  S. 

VAIL,  G.  F. 

WOOD,  WILBUR  FISKE 

VAN  VLECK,  A.  K. 

WASHBURN,  GEO.  W. 

VOSBURGH,  A. 

WATTSON,  E.  D. 

WHITMAN,  GEORGE  A. 

WHITFIELD,  E.  A. 

WRIGHT,  D.  F. 

YORK,  J.  F. 

HALL,  W.  P.  SABIN,  N.  H.  TOWS,  C.  D. 


104 


ORIGIN  OF  FLAG  PRESENTATION  TO 
EDUCATIONAL  INSTITUTIONS 

Previous  to  the  year  1 888  the  flying  of  the  United 
States  flag  over  educational  institutions,  or  the  display 
of  them  within  the  buildings,  was  almost  unknown. 
There  had  been  a  few  instances  of  presenting  them  to 
public  schools  in  the  city  of  New  York,  which  practice 
was  inaugurated  by  Mr.  DeWitt  C.  Ward,  a  school  trus- 
tee of  the  Ward,  who  by  his  individual  effort  had 

secured  flags  for  perhaps  a  half  dozen  schools,  and  publicly 
presenting  them  with  patriotic  addresses  in  the  assembly 
rooms,  when  the  scholars  were  gathered  to  formally  re- 
ceive them.  On  one  of  these  occasions  Comrade  Charles 
F.  Homer  was  present,  and  being  impressed  with  the 
educational  value  of  such  a  movement,  if  made  general 
and  impressive,  in  inculcating  a  spirit  of  patriotism  and 
reverence  for  the  emblem  which  had  cost  so  much  in  lives 
and  money  to  preserve,  especially  among  the  children  of 
foreign  parentage  whose  home  education  did  not  tend  in 
that  direction,  he  brought  the  inspiration  to  an  encamp- 
ment of  Lafayette  Post,  and  in  well-chosen  words  related 
his  experience,  and  prophesied  the  benefit  to  the  country 
should  such  a  movement  inspire  a  general  following,  and 

105 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 

an  example  set  by  the  Post  become  universal  throughout 
the  land.  Feeling  the  pulse  of  the  comrades  of  the  Post, 
he  was  convinced  of  the  popularity  of  such  an  inaugura- 
tion, and  offered  the  following  resolution: 

"  That  Lafayette  Post  present  to  the  College  of  the 
City  of  New  York  a  stand  of  colors,  and  permission  be 
granted  to  start  a  subscription  list  for  said  purpose,  and 
that  the  Commander  appoint  a  committee  of  five  to  pro- 
vide and  make  proper  arrangements  for  the  presenta- 
tion." 

This  was  May  4,  1888. 

On  June  8th  following  a  national  silk  flag,  mounted  on 
a  staff,  suitably  engraved,  was  presented  to  the  College 
in  the  Academy  of  Music  in  the  presence  of  the  trustees, 
faculty,  and  students,  and  a  large  assembly  of  the  families 
and  friends  of  all  interested. 

The  ceremonies  were  elaborate  and  impressive,  begin- 
ning with  a  prayer  by  the  Rev.  S.  S.  Seward,  chaplain 
of  the  Post,  followed  by  the  presentation  address  of  late 
Commander  Floyd  Clarkson,  now  numbered  with  the  host 
encamping  on  the  eternal  plains  of  Everlasting  Peace. 
The  acceptance  was  by  Gen.  Alexander  S.  Webb,  Presi- 
dent of  the  College,  who  soon  after  united  with  the  Post 
and  became  a  comrade  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repub- 
lic. The  Hon.  J.  Edward  Simmons,  chairman  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees;  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  R.  Paxton,  and 
Gen.  Cyrus  Bussey  made  stirring  addresses,  which  were 
received  with  cheers  and  applause. 

Thus  began  the  spirited  patriotic  work  of  Lafayette 
Post,  which  has  grown  with  a  rapidity  far  beyond  the 

106 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


most  sanguine  hopes,  until  the  flag  floats,  to-day,  over 
nearly  every  college  and  school  throughout  the  broad 
land,  until  upon  the  statute  books  of  many  States  may 
be  read  the  law  compelling  public  schools  to  float  the  flag 
of  liberty  during  their  session,  and  making  it  a  penal 
offence  to  those  in  control  to  disobey  the  enactment. 

Between  June,  1888,  and  May,  1898,  the  Post  has  do- 
nated many  flags,  and  presented  them  with  more  or 
less  ceremony  in  different  places,  besides  in  other  ways 
showing  a  patriotic  fervor  and  a  desire  to  inculcate  a 
spirit  of  reverence  for  heroic  merit  and  national  service. 


107 


OCCASIONS  OF  FLAG  PRESENTATION  BY  LA- 
FAYETTE  POST  OTHER  THAN  TO  COLUMBIA 
COLLEGE 

October  1 8,  1889 

To  Lafayette  Camp,  No.  140,  Sons  of  Veterans,  Divi- 
sion of  New  York. 

Presentation  address  by  Gen.  William  T.  Sherman. 

Acceptance  by  Edward  Trenchard,  Captain  of  the 
Camp. 

June  6,  1890 
To  Primary  School  No.  87. 

Presentation  address  by  General  Viele,  Commander  of 
Post. 

October  14,  1890 

To  Packer  Collegiate  and  Polytechnic  Institutes  of 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  at  the  Brooklyn  Academy  of  Music,  by 
comrades  of  the  Post  residing  in  Brooklyn. 

Introduction  by  Gen.  Henry  W.  Slocum. 

Prayer  by  Rev.  Charles  H.  Hall,  D.D. 

Presentation  address  by  Commander  Egbert  L.  Viele. 

Acceptance  for  Polytechnic  by  President  David  H. 
Cochran,  LL.D. ;  for  Packer  by  President  Truman  J. 
Backus,  LL.D. 

109 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 

Addresses  by  Gen.  William  T.  Sherman  and  Hon. 
Seth  Low. 

May  20,  1893 

Stand  of  colors  to  Girard  College,  Philadelphia,  on 
birthday  of  Founder  Stephen  Girard. 

Presentation  by  Comrade  Charles  H.  T.  Collis. 

Acceptance  by  Professor  A.  H.  Felteroy,  President  of 
College. 

Address  by  Hon.  Charles  Emory  Smith,  ex-United 
States  Minister  to  Russia. 

June  14,  1895 
To  Havemeyer  School,  Greenwich,  Conn. 

September  28,  1895 

To  Grammar  School  at  Greensburgh,  near  Elmsford, 
N.  Y. 

December  26,  1895 
To  cadets  of  St.  Paul  Church,  New  York  City. 

March  9,  1897 

To  Rhinelander  School,  350  East  Eighty-eighth  Street, 
New  York  City.    Miss  Margaret  P.  Pascal,  principal. 
Presentation  address  by  Commander  Josiah  C.  Long. 
Acceptance  by  Master  Hass  of  the  School  Battalion. 

February  II,  1898 

To  Grammar  School  No.  23,  New  York  City. 

no 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 

February  22,  1898 

Four  guidons  to  Baron  de  Hirsch  English  Day  School 
at  the  Educational  Alliance,  Jefferson  Street  and  East 
Broadway. 

Presentation  address  by  Comrade  George  W.  Jones. 
Acceptance  by  a  Russian  girl  pupil  five  years  old. 


in 


SOME  OTHER  PATRIOTIC  WORK 


1893 

Resolutions  on  Military  Instruction  in  Public  Schools, 
by  Comrade  E.  L.  Zalinski,  adopted  by  Twenty-seventh 
National  Encampment,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

1897-1898 

Support  of  a  class  in  elementary  civics  under  the  charge 
of  Miss  Margaret  P.  Pascal. 

Spring  and  Summer,  1898 

A  committee  of  this  Post,  appointed  by  the  Post  to 
raise  volunteers  for  the  war  with  Spain,  enrolled  more 
than  7,000  men,  and  placed  nearly  3,000  in  the  volun- 
teer service  and  about  800  in  the  regular  army,  receiv- 
ing the  commendation  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  Secretary  of  War,  and  the  Adjutant-General  of 
the  Army.* 

May  30,  1898 

Dedication  of  memorial  tablet  erected  by  the  Post  at 
Brinckerhoff,  N.  Y. ,  in  honor  of  Maj.-Gen.  Marquis  de 

*  The  Post,  by  resolution  adopted  April  7th,  ordered  that  the  re- 
port of  the  committee  having  this  work  in  charge  should  be  printed 
in  this  volume.    It  will  be  found  on  pages  115  to  121. 
8  113 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


Lafayette,  and  presented  to  Melzingah  Chapter,  Daugh- 
ters of  American  Revolution. 

Presentation  address  by  Commander  Daniel  Butter- 
field. 

Acceptance  by  Mrs.  Ver  Planck. 
Address  by  Gen.  Henry  E.  Tremaine. 

December,  1898 

Six  hundred  bunting  flags,  four  feet  by  six,  were  sent  to 
Porto  Rico  in  charge  of  Junior  Vice-Commander  Bakewell 
under  orders  of  the  Adjutant-General  of  the  State  of  New 
York  and  with  the  approval  and  commendation  of  the 
United  States  Government,  and  were  distributed  to  the 
various  schools  and  educational  institutions  of  the  island 
to  the  delight  of  the  authorities,  military  and  civil,  and  of 
the  teachers  and  scholars. 

'January  27,  1899 

Bunting  flag,  standard  size,  trimmed  with  yellow  silk 
fringe  and  cord  and  tassels,  mounted  on  a  nine-foot  ash 
pole,  was  presented  to  Grammar  School  No.  85,  138th 
Street,  between  Willis  and  Brooke  Avenues. 

February  22,  1899 

A  large  flag  was  presented  by  Past  Commander  Long, 
for  the  Post,  to  the  St.  Luke's  Boys'  Club  of  the  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church  of  Brooklyn. 


114 


FINAL  REPORT 


OF 

Committee   Appointed  by  Lafayette  Post  to  Recruit 
Volunteers  for  the  War  with  Spain. 

New  York,  April  7,  1899. 

Commander  and  Comrades  : 

The  war  with  Spain  having  definitely  ended  by  the 
ratification  of  the  treaty  of  peace  on  the  part  of  Spain, 
your  Committee  begs  to  submit  this  final  report  and  to 
ask  its  discharge. 

The  work  of  the  Committee  has  been  fully  reported 
from  time  to  time  at  the  encampments  of  the  Post,  but 
it  is  deemed  fitting  to  submit  here  a  brief  review  of  its 
proceedings. 

The  undertaking  had  its  inception  in  a  suggestion  in- 
formally made  by  the  then  Commander  of  the  Post,  Major- 
General  Daniel  Butterfield,  about  six  weeks  before  the 
declaration  of  war.  This  suggestion  was  followed  by  the 
issue  of  a  confidential  circular  by  Commander  Butterfield, 
under  date  of  March  25,  1898,  pointing  out  the  opportu- 
nity and  the  duty  of  members  of  the  Post  to  aid  the 
Government  by  their  experience,  influence,  and  active 
work  in  raising  a  model  regiment  to  enter  the  service  in 

115 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


the  event  of  the  actual  outbreak  of  war.  A  copy  of  this 
circular  letter  of  March  25,  1898,  also  copies  of  all  sub- 
sequent printed  and  written  letters,  and  of  all  official  pa- 
pers issued  by  the  Committee,  together  with  the  record 
of  proceedings  of  the  Committee,  accompany  this  report. 

The  initial  official  action  taken  by  the  Post  itself  is 
shown  by  the  resolution  unanimously  adopted  by  a  ris- 
ing vote  of  all  comrades  present  at  the  encampment  of 
April  15,  1898,  and  here  reproduced  in  full  : 

"  Resolved,  That  Lafayette  Post,  No.  140,  Department 
of  New  York,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  in  regular 
encampment  assembled,  hereby  endorses  the  patriotic 
project  to  form  a  Lafayette  Post  Regiment,  as  outlined 
by  the  circular  letter  of  Commander  Daniel  Butterfield 
under  date  of  March  25,  1898,  and  Post  Order  No.  7, 
and  pledges  its  support  thereto. 

"  Resolved,  further,  That  Commander  Butterfield  be,  and 
he  is  hereby,  authorized  and  requested  to  appoint  a  com- 
mittee, with  power,  to  have  charge  of  the  details  of  rais- 
ing and  organizing  such  regiment." 

The  original  plan  was  to  recruit  and  fully  equip  a  regi- 
ment to  be  officered  by  members  of  Lafayette  Post  and 
Regular  Army  officers,  the  rank  and  file  to  consist  of  sons 
of  members  of  the  Post,  and  of  other  picked  men,  all  of 
whom  would  be  willing  to  serve  for  the  war,  whatever 
might  be  its  duration. 

Due,  however,  to  the  circumstance  that  the  Govern- 
ment had  been  persuaded  to  give  to  the  National  Guard 
of  the  States  the  preference  in  filling  the  calls  for  volun- 
teers, it  became  impossible  to  procure  the  acceptance  of  a 

116 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


distinctively  Lafayette  Post  Regiment,  although  strenuous 
and  unremitting  efforts  to  that  end  were  made,  both  with 
the  Federal  and  State  authorities — Commander  Butter- 
field  especially  having  made  many  trips  to  Washington 
and  to  Albany  to  accomplish  this  object. 

Notwithstanding  the  impossibility,  for  the  reason  stated, 
of  giving  effect  to  the  original  plan,  the  initial  work  of 
the  Committee  had  been  so  thoroughly  and  vigorously 
prosecuted,  and  the  interest  aroused  therein  having  been 
so  widespread  that  thousands  of  young  men,  eager  to 
serve  their  country  on  the  lines  indicated  by  your  Com- 
mittee, had  responded  to  our  call,  it  was  determined  to 
broaden  the  work  of  the  Committee,  and  to  make  such 
work  of  value  to  the  Government  in  all  possible  direc- 
tions, by  securing  the  enlistment  of  the  men  thus  enrolled, 
in  the  different  National  Guard  Regiments  of  the  State 
and  in  the  Regular  Army  and  Navy. 

This  extension  of  the  original  work  allotted  to  the 
Committee  was  duly  reported  to  the  Post,  and  received 
its  enthusiastic  and  unanimous  approval. 

While  we  would  not  be  justified  in  occupying  space 
here  with  statistics,  which  will  be  found  in  full  in  the 
papers  filed  with  this  report,  it  might  be  stated  briefly 
that  more  than  7,000  men  were  enrolled  for  service  in  the 
war  by  your  Committee,  and  that  more  than  half  of  this 
number  were  placed  in  the  service  in  the  National  Guard 
and  in  the  Regular  Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States. 

The  work  thus  undertaken  and  accomplished  by  the 
Post  through  the  medium  of  your  Committee,  received 
the  unqualified  endorsement,  not  alone  of  Federal  and 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


State  authorities,  but  also  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  the  Commander  of  the 
Department  of  New  York,  and  of  the  comrades  generally. 

Of  the  many  testimonials  communicated  to  the  Post 
or  to  the  Committee  and  filed  with  this  report,  perhaps 
the  following  brief  extract  from  the  letter  of  the  Adju- 
tant-General of  the  Army,  written  December  15,  1898, 
long  after  the  close  of  active  operations,  will  sufficiently 
indicate  the  appreciation  of  the  work  accomplished,  for 
no  other  officer  in  the  service  had  such  opportunity  to 
judge  of  the  extent  and  value  of  such  work  as  the  Adju- 
tant-General of  the  Army,  who  then  said  in  an  official 
letter  to  Commander  Butterfield  :  "  Please  say  to  Lafay- 
ette Post  that  its  work  in  support  of  the  Government 
during  the  war  with  Spain  was  second  to  that  of  no  other 
organization  in  the  country,  and  so  far  as  I  am  able  to 
speak  for  the  War  Department,  I  thank  you,  each  and 
every  one  of  you." 

This  patriotic  work — thus  originating  in  the  undertak- 
ing to  raise  a  Lafayette  Post  Regiment,  and  extending 
on  broader  lines  for  the  reasons  herein  assigned — was  by 
no  means  selfishly  prosecuted  for  the  glory  and  credit  of 
Lafayette  Post  alone,  but,  at  an  early  stage  of  the  Com- 
mittee's work,  by  a  carefully  prepared  circular  letter, 
dated  April  II,  1898,  the  prosecution  of  similar  work  by 
all  other  Grand  Army  Posts  was  urged,  and  the  great 
value  to  the  Government  of  such  a  service  by  the  veter- 
ans of  the  Civil  War  was  plainly  pointed  out.  In  New 
York  State,  and  in  other  States  as  well,  work  on  similar 
lines  was  undertaken  by  comrades  of  the  Grand  Army, 

118 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


and,  in  our  own  State,  we  received  valuable  assistance 
from  comrades,  especially  at  Port  Jervis,  Oswego,  Nyack, 
Utica,  Warsaw,  Rochester,  Albany,  and  other  towns  in 
the  interior  of  the  State. 

The  aid  rendered  the  Committee  by  different  individuals 
and  organizations  has  been  duly  acknowledged  by  resolu- 
tions of  thanks  adopted  and  by  testimonials  awarded  by 
vote  of  the  Post. 

The  large  number  of  members  of  the  Post  who  actively 
aided  the  Committee  in  its  work  have  found  their  ade- 
quate reward  in  the  opportunity  afforded  them,  and  of 
which  they  eagerly  availed  themselves,  to  participate  in 
this  self-denying  and  patriotic  service. 

Your  Committee  deems  it  appropriate,  however,  to  here 
restate  the  specific  service  rendered  by  some  of  our  patri- 
otic citizens,  although  in  every  case  such  service  has  been 
duly  acknowledged  by  a  Post  resolution  : 

Hon.  Samuel  A.  Blatchford,  free  use  of  entire  building 
northeast  corner  Fourteenth  Street  and  Fifth  Avenue  for 
an  armory  and  recruiting  station. 

Home  Life  Insurance  Company,  spacious  and  admirably 
located  offices  for  the  use  of  the  Committee  and  its  clerical 
staff. 

Hon.  Augustus  A.  Low,  of  Brooklyn,  use  of  a  large  and 
appropriate  office  for  recruiting  headquarters  in  that  city. 

Messrs.  D.  O.  Mills  and  Ogden  Mills,  use  of  store  in 
Mills  Hotel  No.  I  for  recruiting  station. 

Also  a  number  of  other  citizens  and  members  of  the 
Post  in  New  York,  Brooklyn,  and  in  cities  in  the  interior 
of  the  State,  granted  the  use  of  appropriate  rooms  or 

119 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 

offices,  free  of  charge,  as  recruiting  stations.  In  all  cases 
such  assistance  was  suitably  acknowledged. 

In  addition  we  were  at  different  times  granted  the  use 
of  the  Seventh,  Ninth,  and  Twelfth  Regiment  Armories 
for  parade  and  inspection  of  our  volunteers. 

At  the  very  outset  of  our  undertaking,  in  response  to 
an  appeal  by  Commander  Butterfield,  the  Hon.  Cornelius 
N.  Bliss,  then  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  very  promptly 
and  cordially  tendered  the  gift  of  7,000  yards  of  cloth  to 
make  uniforms. 

Shortly  thereafter  Lyman  G.  Bloomingdale,  a  comrade 
of  this  Post,  offered,  on  behalf  of  his  firm,  to  make  up  such 
cloth  into  uniforms  for  the  Lafayette  Post  Regiment,  and 
also  granted  the  use  of  a  spacious  room  in  their  building 
as  a  recruiting  headquarters. 

Mr.  Louis  Stern,  on  behalf  of  Messrs.  Stern  Brothers, 
offered  to  provide  uniforms  for  an  entire  regiment,  and 

Mr.  Frederick  Gallatin,  a  comrade  of  this  Post,  made  a 
similar  offer. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  give  within  the  limits  of  this 
report  the  names  of  all  the  patriotic  citizens  who  in  vari- 
ous ways  tendered  their  aid  in  furtherance  of  our  patriotic 
work. 

The  expenses  of  the  Committee  amounted  to  many 
thousand  dollars,  and  were  met  by  the  voluntary  con- 
tributions of  members  of  the  Post,  with  the  exception  of 
one  contribution  of  one  hundred  dollars.  Several  mem- 
bers of  the  Post,  notably  the  Secretary  of  the  Committee, 
freely  gave  all  of  their  time  to  the  work  of  the  Committee. 

Lafayette  Post  has  the  distinction  of  all  organizations 

120 


Lafayette  Post  and  the  Flag 


of  the  country  of  being  the  very  first  to  take  practical 
steps  to  render  substantial  aid  to  the  Government  in  the 
then  existing  crisis,  and  while,  due  to  the  circumstance  set 
forth  in  this  report,  and  with  which  all  members  of  the 
Post  are  familiar,  it  failed  to  accomplish  its  original  object 
of  placing  its  own  regiment  in  the  field,  it  did  bear  a  use- 
ful and  honorable  part,  and  conspicuously  exemplified  the 
crowning  principle  of  our  order,  "  Loyalty." 

Respectfully  submitted, 

By  order  of  the  Committee, 

A.  G.  Mills, 

Chairman. 

A.  C.  Bakewell, 

Secretary. 


